sign in sign up
<<
Home , Bhawani Prasad Mishra, Binod Kanungo, Kedarnath Agarwal, Kedarnath Singh, Kedar Gurung, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas

Homage to Prof U.R. Ananthamurthy September 1, 2014,

ahitya Akademi organized a condolence meeting of eminent writers and scholars on September 1, 2014 at the Akademi auditorium in New Delhi to pay homage and tribute to Prof. U.R. SAnanthamurthy who passed away on August 22, 2014. Prof U.R. Ananthamurthy, one of the doyens of modern and distinguished writer was the past President of and was decorated with vast number of honors and awards during his long and illustrious career. Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the writers and scholars and spoke briefly about the democratic values that Prof U.R. Ananthamurthy brought to literary atmospheres in general and to the functioning of Akademi during his stint as a President. Prof K. Satchidanandan observed that literary fraternity lost a sane voice, rational mind and an insider who was the conscience keeper of all traditions – literary and cultural. Prof Harish Trivedi paid rich tributes to Prof Ananthamurthy and highlighted the secular values of the legendary writer. Dr Singh recalled his association with the legendary writer who was instrumental in changing the paradigm through which Indian literature was perceived. Ms. talked at length about the influence that Prof Ananthamurthy and his works had on the psyche of young Indian writers. Sri H.K. Kaul spoke briefly about the life, works and legacy of Prof Ananthamurthy. A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed writer. A large number writers, scholars, artists, media personalities and academicians participatedand paid tributes to Prof U.R. Ananthamurthy. Eminent writers and scholars at U.R. Ananthamurthy condolence meeting organized by the Akademi

Meet the Author Through My Window September 4, 2014, Indore September 5, 2014,

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, organized a ‘Through My association with Madhya Bharat Window’ programme at K.L. Sehgal Hall, Jammu on SSahitya Samiti, organized a ‘Meet the SSeptember 5, 2014 where noted writer and academician, Prof. Author’ programme with Sri Prabhakar Narayan Nilambar Dev Sharma talked about distinguished Dogri writer and Kawthekar, distinguished scholar on scholar, Late Col. Shivnath. During the event, ‘Mosaic of Life,’ September 4, 2014 at Samiti auditorium in Sri Shivnath’s translation of his award winning title ‘Cheten di Indore. Chitkabri’ was released. Sri Brajendra Tripathi, Deputy Secretary, Sri Santanu Gangopadhyay, Assistant Editor, Sahitya Akademi, Sahitya Akademi, coordinated the programme welcomed the speaker, other guests and audience and spoke briefly and introduced the eminent writer to the about the nature and objective of the platform ‘Through My scholars and literary connoisseurs who had Window’ and introduced the speaker to the audience. Prof. Lalit assembled at the venue. Sri Prabhakar Narayan Magotra, Convener, Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, Kawthekar is one of the foremost experts on spoke at length about significant contributions of Sri Shivnath to medieval and has penned Dogri literature and language and about the significance of the scores of books covering a wide range of books released. Prof. Nilambar Dev Sharma, who had a close and subjects from Nyaya schools to Kavya literature long association with Sri Shivnath, talked about the legendary to Dharma and legal digests in Sanskrit, spoke writers, early life, humble back ground, his achievements and briefly about his early life, his works and the unique contributions he made to Dogri literature. He said Shivnath influences on his writing. The eminent author was very unique during his time in the sense that he was practically also spoke about the nuances of and the only one to prolifically write critical appreciations on and about massive gems lying hidden in the ancient and , literature, history and scores of texts and books. He medieval Sanskrit literature. A brief interactive observed that Akademi befittingly bestowed on him the Akademi session followed and scores of writers, authors Award for Cheten di Chitkabri. Prof Nilambar Dev Sharma then and literary connoisseurs of Indore actively took up several of Shivnath’s books and discussed them in detail. participated in the session. Sri Santanu Gangopadhyay proposed a vote of thanks.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 1 DELHI

Seminar on Bhavani Prasad Mishra September 5-6, 2014, Indore

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, to commemorate the Diwan and Dilip Chinchalkar, relived the memories of birth centenary of , and footprints left by Bhawani Prasad Mishra’s poems. In the Sin association with Madhya Bharat Hindi Sahitya second session that was chaired by Goeshwar Singh, three Samiti, organized a national seminar on the legendary noted scholars, Dinesh Kushvah, Arunesh Niran and Suresh on September 5-6, 2014 at Indore. Salil presented papers. The chair observed that Bhawani Prasad’s poems cannot be discussed adequately within the In the inaugural session, the noted critic Sri Prabhakar boundaries which we have built for . In the Shrotriya welcomed the participants and the audience and third session that was chaired by Baldev Vamshi and which talked briefly about the reflections of Bhavani’s time in his had theme of ‘Nature in Bhawani Prasad Mishra’s works,’ poems. Sri Suryaprakash Chaturvedi, President of Madhya four noted scholars, Shailendra Sharma, Madhav Hada, Bharat Hindi Sahitya Samiti, in his inaugural address Krishna Kumar Singh and Lakshman Kediya, presented talked about Bhavani Mishra’s poems and Gandhian papers. The fourth session which focused on ‘Bhawani values. Well known poet Sri Chandrakant Devthaale, Prasad Mishra and Gandhi Darshan’ and was chaired by who was the Chief Guest of the session, talked at length Devendra Dipak, three noted scholars Vyasmani Tripathi, about the qualities of Bhawani Prasad Mishra’s poems Dhruv Shukla and Prabhu , presented papers. In the and observed that his poems’ ability to encapsulate time fifth session which focused on ‘Saptak Parampara and instead of reflecting it made him a great poet of his time. Bhawani Prasad Mishra’ and that was chaired by Ajay Sri Avdesh Pradhan, in his keynote address, gave insights Tiwari, three noted scholars, Jitendra Srivatsav Niranjan, into the poet’s creative process. Sri Suryaprasad Dixit, Shrotriya Arun Hota and Sudha Upadhyay, presented Convener, Hindi Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, in papers. In the valedictory session, Sri Satyadev Tripathi his Presidential address, observed that Bhawani Prasad summed up the proceedings and noted critic Sri Vijay Mishra’s poems contain in them not only the aspirations Bahadhur Singh delivered the valedictory address wherein of one community or one country or societies of one time he provided valuable insights into the life and works of but the aspirations and stories of entire humanity. the poet. The seminar was coordinated by Sri Brajendra In the first session that was chaired by Saroj Kumar, four Tripathi, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi. noted scholars, Amarendra Singh, Kashmir Uppal, Rakesh

Mulakat & Children’s Literature Programme September 6, 2014, Jammu

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, organized two literary events, S‘Mulakat’ and ‘Children’s Literature Programme’ on September (L-R)Gianeswar Sarma, Santanu Gangopadhyay, Chhatrapal and Bansi Lal Sarma 6, 2014 at Jammu. Sri Santanu Gangopadhyay, Assistant Editor, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and audience and spoke briefly about various initiatives of the Akademi in preserving and promoting Children’s literature in all the 24 languages and across the country. Sri Chhatrapal, Member, Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, talked about initiatives of Akademi in Dogri and appreciated the institution of Bal Sahitya Puraskar to encourage writers of Children’ literature. In the Children’s Literature programme, noted Dogri writers and , led by Gianeshwar Sharma, enthralled about 70 children from Jammu. Gianeshwar Sharma, Akademi Awardee, read out two short stories he had written for children. Many poets also recited their poems written for children. In the ‘Mulakat’ programme, Dr Bansi Lal Sharma, Dogri lyricist and poet with a children’s poetry book to his credit recited few poems on good manners, values etc. Known for his witty and humorous style, Dr Sharma also spoke about his writings and life briefly. Many noted Dogri writers, scholars, poets and artists participated in the events.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 2 DELHI

Symposium on Saint Laxminath Gosain September 7, 2014, Parsarma

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in association with Sant Laxminath Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, organized a symposium on Saint Laxminath Gosain on September 7, 2014 at his birth place Parsarma, Supaul, SBihar. Sri Laxminath Gosain was one of the greatest saint sons of Bihar who was chiefly instrumental in carrying lofty philosophies of ancient literature, especially , to masses in a direct and simple language. In the inaugural session, Dr. Devendrakumar Devesh, Officer on Special Duty, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and the audience and spoke briefly about the legacy of Sant Laxminath Gosain and outlined the various initiatives of the Akademi. The session was chaired by Dr. Kamalkant Jha, ex-chairman of Maithili Academy, inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Tilaknath Mishra, keynote address by Dr Dhirendra Nath Jha Dhir and introductory speech was delivered by Dr. Bina Thakur, Convener, Maithili Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi. In the two academic sessions that were chaired by Sri Ravindra Rakesh and Sri Taranant Viyogi, six noted scholars, Sri Ramnaresh Singh, Sri Kulanand Jha, Sri Abhaykant Thakur, Sri Arvind Thakur, Smt. Sunita Jha and Sri Ram Chaitanya Dhiraj, presented papers covering various aspects of life and works of Saint Laxminath Gosain, the place of his works within and the impact his works had on the people of Mithila. The valedictory session was chaired by Sri Buchru Paswan and valedictory address was delivered by Sri Khushilal Jha and Dr. Devesh proposed a vote of thanks.

Maithili Poets’ Meet Meet the Author September 7, 2014, Parsarma September 13 , 2014, Darjeeling

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in association with ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in association with Sant Laxminath Sangeet Mahavidyala, organized a SGorkha Dukh Nivarak Sammelan, organized a ‘Meet S the Author’ programme with Sri Krishna Singh Moktan, Mathili Poets’ Meet on September 7, 2014 at Parsarma, well known Nepali fiction writer, on September 13, 2014 Supaul, Bihar. The meet was chaired by Sri Kamal Kant at Darjeeling. Sri Moktan talked about his early life, his Jha and eight noted Maithili poets, Smt. Bharati Jha, Smt. works, especially the bestselling ‘Jeevan Parikrama’ and Bijali Prakash, Smt. Leena Singh, Ms Gunjan Kumari, ‘Jeevan Goretoma’ which won , Sri Amalendu , Sri Chandramani Jha, Sri and influences on his writing. He informed the audience Vidyadhar Mishra and Sri Jaiprakash janak, recited their that he is into spiritual writing these days. A brief interactive Maithili poems. session followed his speech. The programme was well attended by writers and scholars based in Darjeeling.

Seminar on Women Writings in Indian Languages: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow September 13-14, 2014, New Delhi

ahitya Akademi, in association with Praajaswamika Rachayitrula Vedika (PRARAVE) AND Delhi Telugu Sahiti, organized a two day seminar on ‘Women Writings in Indian Languages: Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow’ on September S13-14, 2014 at Andhra Association Building, New Delhi. In the inaugural session, Sri K. Satyanarayana, Andhra Association welcomed the participants and the audience and spoke briefly about various initiatives of Andhra Association. In his Presidential address Sri R. Mani Naidu spoke about the necessity to encourage women writings not only in the main languages but also in minor languages. Sri Kambhampati

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 3 DELHI

Rammohan Rao, who was the Chief Guest spoke about women writing in 20th century and the direction it is taking in the 21st century. Prof. Katyayani Vidmahe, Akademi award winner, introduced the theme and concept of the seminar. Prof C. Mrunalini, Member, Telugu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, proposed a vote of thanks. In the first session that focused on the social changes and literature of women and was chaired by Prof. K. Satchidanandan, eminent poet and former Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, five papers representing five different languages were presented by Ms. Antara Dev Sen, Ms. , K. Satchidanandan, Ms. Urmila Pawar and Ms. Olga. In the second session that focused on women writers in classical literature and was chaired by Dr. K.N. Malleswari, four scholars, Prof. E.M. Rao, Ms. M.V. Lakshmi, Dr. M. Krishnan, Dr. Kolipaka Shobha Rani presented their papers. In the third session which focused on women writing in modern and was chaired by Ms. Anisetti Rajitha, three scholars, Dr. K.V. Ramalakshmi, Ms. M. Shyamala and Ms. V. Shantiprabodha presented their papers. In the fourth session which focused on women writing from 1960 to 2000 and was chaired by Ms. P. Rajyalakshmi, five scholars, Ms. Knondepoodi Nirmala, Ms. Veeralakshmi Devi, Ms. Nallori Rukmini, Ms. N. Ratnamala and Ms. Mersy Margarate presented their papers representing different genres. In the fifth session which focused on contemporary women writing in Telugu and was chaired by Dr. J. Bhagyalakshmi, four scholars, Ms. Kupili Padma, Ms. Vijayabhanu Kotte, Dr. Putla Hemalatha and Ms. M. Vimala presented their papers offering various perspectives. In the valedictory session that was chaired by Dr. K.G. Rao, Sri Kottireddy of Andhra Association welcomed the participants. Dr. S. Venugopala Chari who was the chief guest talked about women writing’s role in nation building. Justice Ms. G. Rohini, who was the Guest of Honor, talked about women writing in jurisprudence and other allied fields and observed for all round development of societies women writing should be encouraged. Sri B.V.V.K. Rao, Sri D. Subrahmanyam and Dr. K.N. Malleswari talked and proposed a vote of thanks.

Seminar on Bhanubhakta September 13-14, 2014, Darjeeling

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in association with Gorkha Dukh Nivarak Sammelan, organized a two day seminar to Scommemorate the 200th birth anniversary of Sri Bhanubhakta Acharya on September 13-14, 2014 in Darjeeling. Bhanubhakta Acharya translated one of the two Epics of , Srimad Valmiki Ramayana, into Nepali and is celebrated as ‘ ka Adikavi.’ In the inaugural session, Dr. Devendra Kumar Devesh, Officer on Special Duty, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and guests and spoke briefly about various initiatives of Sahitya Akademi to promote . Sri B.B. Gurung, President, Gorkha Dukh Nivarak Sammelan, chaired the session, Sri Prem Pradhan, Convener, Nepali Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, delivered the introductory speech, Sri Manbahadur Pradhan, President, Nepali Sahitya Adhyayan Samiti, delivered inaugural speech and Sri Jiwan Namdung, eminent Nepali poet and critic, delivered the keynote address. Sri B.K. Rai, General Secretary, Gorkha Dukh Nivarak Sammelan proposed a vote of thanks. In the three academic sessions that were chaired by Sri Nand Hangkim, Sri Narbahadur Rai and Sri Krishnaraj Ghatani, eight noted scholars, Ms. Radha Sharma, Ms Bina Hangkim, Sri Gangaprasad Bhattarai, Sri Karna Thami, Sri Gokul Sinha, Sri Navin Poudyal, Smt. Shanti and Smt. Sujatarani Rai presented papers covering the life, works and legacy of Sri Bhanubhakta Acharya. The valedictory session was chaired by Sri and the valedictory address was delivered by Dr. Pratap Chandra Pradhan, Dean, Sikkim University.

Nepali Poets‘ Meet September 14, 2014, Darjeeling

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in association with Gorkha Dukh Nivarak Sammelan, organized a Nepali Poets’ Meet on SSeptember 14, 2014 at Darjeeling. The meet, divided into two sessions, was chaired by Sri Chandramit Luxum and Sri Jas Yonjan Pyasi and fourteen noted Nepali poets, Sri Sandip Kumar Pradhan, Sri Dalsingh Akela, Sri Ram Sharma, Sri Keshav Gurung, Sri Puran Giri, Sri Milan Bantawa, Sri Kiran Syangden, Sri Bhakta Sunwar, Smt. Urmila Ghising, Smt. Sharda Stefi Rai, Smt. Jyotibala Rai, Sri Narbahadur Toya, Smt. Sushma Moktan and Sri Neer Sharma, recited their poems.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 4 DELHI

Hindi Week September 15-22, 2014, New Delhi

ahitya Akademi organized ‘Hindi Week’ at its office premises in New Delhi from September 15 to 22, 2014. In the inaugural ceremony held on the opening day, Dr Devendra Kumar Devesh, Officer on Special Duty, Sconducted the programme. He explained the objective and scope of the programme and provided details of the events to be held in the week. He also talked about the Hindi titles being produced in the Akademi. Ms. Renu Mohan Bhan, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, delivered welcome address. She talked briefly about various initiatives of the Akademi with reference to Rajbhasha and welcomed Sri Prayag Shukla to 2014 edition of ‘Hindi Week.’ In his Presidential address, Sri Shukla talked about the importance of Rajbhasha and said was a great supporter of Hindi and it was he who made it as a national language. Sri Shukla also recited a poem of Jai Shankar Prasad and Ajeya each. Sri Nishant, Hindi translator, proposed a vote of thanks. A number of competitions were held during the week for the staff of the Akademi to establish their proficiency in the use of Hindi. In the valedictory function held on September 22, 2014, Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and the audience. A new issue of ‘Aalok,’ Akademi’s Rajbhasha journal was released and Sri Brajendra Kumar Tripathi, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, provided a bird’s eye view of the journal and its scope. Sri Ved Prakash Gaur, Director (OL), Ministry of Culture, and Sri Leeladhar Mandloi were Guest of Honor and Chief Guest respectively and they handed out the prizes to winners of the completion. In his address, Sri Mandloi said that all the citizens should work more for the development and sustenance of Hindi. Prof. Ranjit Saha, editor of ‘Samkaleen Bhartiya Sahitya’ proposed a vote of thanks.

Kavisandhi and Book Release September 16, 2014, New Delhi ahitya Akademi organized a Kavisandhi with eminent poet and former Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, Prof K. Satchidanandan and a book release function of English translation of his Akademi award Swinning collection, Marannu Vecha Vasthukkal, on September 16, 2014 at Sahitya Akademi conference hall in New Delhi. Prof Satchidanandan recited poems from his works, his recent compositions and poetry which he composed during his travels. He annotated each poem at the end for the benefit of those who do not follow Malayalam. Many eminent writers and scholars were present during the event and a brief interactive session followed the recitations. Prof , eminent Hindi poet, Winner, released ‘Misplaced Objects and Other Poems,’ English translation of Prof Satchidanandan’s Akademi award winning Malayalam poetry Collection, ‘Marannu Vecha Vasthukkal.’ Prof Kedarnath Singh read out few poems from the book and spoke at length about the literary contributions of Prof K. Satchidanandan, both in Malayalam and English.

Literary Forum September 17, 2014, New Delhi

ahitya Akademi organized an evening of reading with two young and noted writers Vempalli Gangadhar from Andhra Pradesh and Yishey Doma Bhutia from Sikkim on September 17, 2015 at the Sahitya Akademi SConference Hall. Vempalli Gangadhar who writes in Telugu and Yishey Doma Bhutia who writes in English were selected as part of young writer in residence at Rashtrapati Bhavan for 2014. Both the authors read from their recent works and also spoke briefly about their lives and their views on Writer-in-Residence scheme of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event was well attended by noted scholars and writers from in and around Delhi.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 5 DELHI

Seminar on ‘Development and Tradition of Maithili Geet Kavya’ September 20-21, 2014, Darbhanga

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration with MRM SCollege, Darbhanga, organized a two day seminar on ‘Development and Tradition of Maithili Geet Kavya’ on September 20-21, 2014 at Darbhanga. In the inaugural session, Dr Devendrakumar Devesh, Officer on Special Duty, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and the audience and spoke briefly about various initiatives of the Akademi. People and Books Dr Ramdeo Jha chaired the session, Dr Saket Kushwaha, Vice September 20, 2014, Darbhanga Chancellor, LNM University, Darbhanga delivered the inaugural address, Dr Bina Thakur, Convener, Maithili Advisory Board, ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in Sahitya Akademi, delivered introductory speech, Sri Tarakant Jha Scollaboration with MRM College, delivered a keynote address and Dr Vidyanath Jha, Principal, MRM Darbhanga, organized a ‘People and Books’ College proposed a vote of thanks. Dr Bina Thakur’s Maithili programme with the renowned scientist translation of ‘Haat-Bajar,’ a Bengali novel by Banphool and Dr. Manas Bihari Verma on September published by Sahitya Akademi was released during the session by 20, 2014 at Darbhanga. Dr Verma spoke Dr Saket Kushwaha. In the four academic sessions that were chaired by Dr Devkant Jha, Dr Indra Kant Jha, Sri Yoganand Jha and Sri generally about the role of books in his Panchanan Mishra, twelve noted scholars, Sri Phoolchandra Mishra life and observed that Mahabharata and ‘Raman’, Dr Amarnath Jha, Dr Ashok Mehta, Dr Asha Mishra, Dr Ramayana were two greatest influences Neeta Jha, Dr Daman Kumar Jha, Dr Kamla Chaudhary, Dr Preeti on his life. He also mentioned Brajkishore Jha, Dr Shankar Deo Jha, Dr Raman Jha, Dr Mahendra Narain Ram Verma’s ‘Manipadma’ and Vinod and Dr. Muralidhar Jha presented papers covering different aspects Bihari Verma’s books and informed the of Maithili Geet Kavya. Dr Narayan Jha, Dr. Srishankar Jha, Dr participants that there were about 85 books Manzar Suleman and Dr Usha Chaudhary also shared their views in his list which he treasured in addition to as discussants during the sessions. Valedictory session was chaired science and science related titles. He also by Dr Rupnarain Chaudhary and valedictory address was delivered briefly spoke about his scientific works. by Dr Dhirendra Nath Mishra.

Sympsium on Rajasthani Assays September 25, 2014, Sridungargarh

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in association with Rashtrabhasha SHindi Prachar Samiti, organized a symposium on September 25, 2014 at Srindungargarh. In the inaugural session, Sri Santanu Gangopadhyay, Assistant Editor, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and the audience and spoke briefly about various initiatives of Sahitya Akademi to promote Academic session in progress literature all over India. The session was chaired by Dr Arjundeo Charan, Convener, Rajasthani Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, and he defined an essayist to Shatavadhani, as equivalent to a person who has control of one hundred horses. Prof Jahoor Khan Mehar, noted Rajasthani essayist, delivered the keynote address and talked about essay as a genre. In the two academic sessions that were chaired by Dr Madan Saini and Dr Chetan Swami, six noted scholars, Dr Mangat Badal, Dr Namamishankar Aacharya, Dr Gajadan Charan ‘Shaktisuta’, Dr Arjun Singh Ujjval[ Sri Girdharidan Itanu and Sri Shankar Singh Rajpurohit, presented their papers covering various aspects of the evolution of essay in Rajasthani literature. The valedictory session was chaired by Sri Shyam Maharshi, Member, General Council, Sahitya Akademi and the valedictory address was delivered by Dr Kiran Nahta.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 6 DELHI

Symposium Literary Forum on Nepali Translation September 26, 2014, New Delhi September 26, 2014, Mirik, West Bengal Sahitya Akademi organized a literary forum ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration programme of reading session with four noted Swith Sahitya Sunaun Parivar, Mirik, organized a satirists, Prem Janamejay, Sushil Siddharth, Ravindra symposium on ‘Nepali Translation’ on September 26, Tripathi and Vyas on September 26, 2014 at 2014 at Mirik, West Bengal. Sahitya Akademi premises in New Delhi. Rekha In the inaugural session, Dr. Devendra Kumar Devesh, Vyas initiated the proceedings with the readings Officer on Special Duty, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed from three of her short works and was followed by the participants and guests and spoke briefly about Ravindra Tripathi, who read from ‘Beautiful history Akademi’s initiatives in the field of literary translations. of Parliament’ and ‘Era of Surveys.’ Sushil Siddharth Smt. Kamla Rai chaired the session, Sri Sachin Rai read from ‘What a sorrow?’ and ‘Who am I?’ and the delivered inaugural address, Sri Prem Pradhan, final participant Prem Janamejay also read from two Convener, Nepali Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, works. Noted writer Purushotam Aggarwal summed delivered the introductory speech, Sri Rajbahadur Rai, up and evaluated the readings and spoke briefly about distinguished Nepali writer, delivered the keynote the genre of satire in Hindi literature. The participants address and Sri Satish Rasaili was the chief guest thanked the Akademi for organizing a meet and hoped and he talked at length about Nepali translations. Sri Madhav Buhathoki, Convener, Sahitya Sunaun that Akademi will organize a national level seminar Parivar, proposed a vote of thanks. on satire works. Several eminent writers and scholars participated in the event. The forum was coordinated In the only academic session that was chaired by by Sri Brajendra Tripathi, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Sri Yajn Nidhi Dhakal, three noted Nepali scholars, Sri Jeevan Rana, Sri Yuvraj Kafley and Smt. Srijana Akademi. Subba, presented papers on ‘Translations of Poetry in Nepali’, ‘Translations of in Nepali’ and Convention ‘Challenges of Nepali Translations from other on Kumaoni Language languages’ respectively. September 27-28, 2014, Kathasandhi Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Department of Hindi, Kumaon University and September 26, 2014, Mirik, West Bengal Kumaoni Bhasha, Sahitya evam Sanskriti Prachar ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration Samiti, Almora, organized a two day convention on Swith Sahitya Sunaun Parivar, Mirik, organized Kumaoni language on 27th and 28th of September at a ‘Kathasandhi’ programme with the well-known Seminar Hall, Visual Art Faculty, Kumaon University, Nepali fiction writer Sri Dhanveer on September Almora. 26, 2014 at Mirik. Sri Dhanveer Puri read three short stories, ‘’Sanchmaanlaai Sancho Chhain,’ ‘Saanchdai In the inaugural session, Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Sapnaharu’ and ‘Mukti Unmukti’ focusing on tea garden Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the life, freedom fighting and folk tale respectively. participants and scholars and said the purpose of the convention was to deliberate upon the past, present and future of Kumaoni language. He announced that Nepali Poets’ Meet Sahitya Akademi intends to incorporate Kumaoni September 26, 2014, Mirik, West Bengal language into the fold of minor languages for which ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration Bhasha Samman and briefly explained about the Swith Sahitya Sunaun Parivar, Mirik, organized a nature and scope of Bhasha Samman. Sri R.S. Pathni, Nepali Poets’ Meet on September 26, 2014 at Mirik, Director, Kumaoni University Campus, Almora, in West Bengal. Smt. Sheela Lama chaired the meet his inaugural address appreciated the initiative of the and seven noted Nepali poets, Sri Ganesh Baraili, Sri Akademi in organizing the convention and hoped this Amar Dungmali, Sri Ranjeet Gurung, Sri Arunchandra would go a long way in enriching Kumaoni literature. Kulung, Sri Roshan Rai, Sri Sabeer Dilpali and Sri Dr Sher Singh Bisht, in his keynote address, spoke at Shanta Kumar Rai, recited their poems based on day length about the rich heritage of kumaoni language, to day life. oral traditions and published works. Ms. Renu Mohan

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 7 DELHI

Bhan, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, proposed Nepali Poets’ Meet a vote of thanks. September 28, 2014, Gangtok In the convention spread over seven sessions, scholars, writers and poets like Smt. Chandrakala ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Ravat, Sri Bhawanidutt Kandpal, Smt. Daya Pant, Sikkim Akademi, organized a Nepali Poets’ Meet on Smt. Diva Bhatt, Smt. Neeraja Tondon, Sri Lalit Joshi, S September 28, 2014 at Gangtok, Sikkim. Sri Gobardhan and Smt. Deepa Gobadi presented papers covering, Bastol chaired the meet and seven noted Nepali poets, Kumaoni language, dialects, Kumaoni prose, fiction, poetry, journalism, oral traditions and folk literature. Sri Ambar Banaya Lahoro, Sri Arjun Piyush, Sri Yuvaraj Kumaoni cultural programmes comprising folk Ghaley, Smt. Mina Subba, Sri Adarsh Milan Pradhan, songs and dances were also performed during the Sri Yuva Baral Anant and Ms. Deepa Rai recited their convention. There was a poets’ meet too and 12 poems. The poems focused on rural life, empowering the poets recited their poems in Kumaoni. Ms. Manjeet downtrodden, patriotism and natural beauty. Kaur Bhatia, Programme Officer, Sahitya Akademi proposed a vote of thanks. Poetry Reading Symposium September 28, 2014, Bhopal on Nepali Children’s Literature September 28, 2014, Gangtok

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration with the SSikkim Akademi, organized a symposium on ‘Nepali Children’s Literature’ on September 28, 2014 at Gangtok, Sikkim. In the inaugural session, Dr Devendra Kumar Devesh, Officer on Special Duty, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and guests and spoke briefly about various initiatives of Sahitya Akademi to preserve and promote Children’s literature across the country. Padmashri Sanu Lama chaired the session, Sri Pempa Tamang, President,

Sikkim Akademi, delivered the inaugural speech, Sri Rudra (L-R) Azim Gurinder Singh Kohli, Zafar Sahbai, Chander Bhan Khayal, Paudyal was the chief guest, Sri Prem Pradhan, Convener, Kauser Siddiqui and Mushtaque Sadaf Nepali Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, delivered the ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, organized a poetry introductory speech and keynote address was delivered by Sreading session of Urdu poets on September 28, 2014 Dr. Pratapchandra Pradhan, Dean, Sikkim University. Dr. at Hindi Bhavan, Bhopal. Dr Mushtaq Sadaf, Programme Pratapchandra Pradhan talked about problems in writing Officer, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and children’s literature and challenges faced by Nepali literary the audience and briefly explained the nature of poetry community. Sri Pradhumna Shrestha, Member, General reading programmes organized by Sahitya Akademi all Council, Sahitya Akademi, proposed a vote of thanks. over the country. Sri Chander Bhan Khayal, Convener, In the only academic session that was chaired by Dr. Urdu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, chaired Shanti Chhetri, three noted scholars, Sri Bhim Pradhan, the programme and nine noted poets, Zafar Sahbayi Dr. Kavita Lama and Smt. Snehlata Rai, presented their (Bhopal), Kausar Siddiqui (Bhopal), Anjum Bara papers focusing on current status of and problems faced Bakvi(Bhopal), Aazam Gurvinder Singh Kohli (Delhi), by writers of Nepali Children’s literature. Sri Parasmani Naim Rashid (Burhanpur), Javed Arshi (Indore), Sheikh Dungal, President, Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Sikkim, Nizami (Jabalpur), AtulAjnabi(Gwalior), Surya Bali coordinated the programme and also proposed a vote of thanks. Suraj(Bhopal), recited their latest poems.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 8 DELHI

Through My Window September 28, 2014, Bhopal

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, organized a ‘Through My Window’ programme with noted fiction writer and journalist, Sri Naim Kausar. Sri Kausar spoke about the life and works of eminent Urdu poet, scholar and lyricist, Mohd. Mr. NaimKausar speaking about Taj Bhopali S Ali Taj Bhopali on September 28, 2014 at Hindi Bhavan, Bhopal. Dr Mushtaq Sadaf, Programme Officer, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the guest and the audience and briefly explained the nature of the programme. Sri Naim Kausar talked about the birth, early childhood and the four works of Mohd. Ali Taj Bhopali, ‘Khema-e Gul,’ ‘SurajNuma,’ Nai Geetanjali and Aasman Roshan Hua. Mr Naim Kausar said the Taj’s poetry was a voice of poor and the oppressed and described Taj Bhopali as a progressive poet. Mr Naim Kausar also highlighted Mohd. Taj Bhopali’s lyrics in films and recalled the words of Jan Nisar Akhtar who wrote a preface to Taj Bhopali’s first poetry collection and prophesied that Taj Bhopali will become great poet. Sri Chander Bhan Khayal, Convener, Urdu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, spoke briefly about the literary contributions of Mohd. Ali Taj Bhopali and thanked Sri Naim Kausar for accepting Akademi’s invitation to speak on Taj Bhopali.

Kavisandhi September 30, 2014, New Delhi

ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Kavisandhi’ programme with the eminent poet, critic, translator and writer, Sri Giridhar SRathi on September 30, 2014 at the Akademi conference hall in New Delhi. Sri Rathi, who has done yeomen service to the cause of Hindi literature through his celebrated translations of world classics and also from other Indian languages into Hindi, spoke briefly about his life, his passion for poetry and his non-poetry works. He recited poems from his latest works and the programme was well attended by scores of poetry lovers, writers and scholars from in and around Delhi.

Symposium and Poets’ Meet on Swachh Bharat October 1, 2014, New Delhi

ahitya Akademi organized a symposium and poets’ meet on Government of India’s Swachh Bharat initiative on SOctober 1, 2014 at the Akademi auditorium in New Delhi. Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and the guests for the symposium and spoke briefly about the presence of environmental concerns in ancient and medieval literature in almost all the . He quoted anecdote from and the works of Kalidasa and Valmiki. Sri Anupam Mishra, veteran environmentalist and author was the Chief Guest at the Symposium and spoke at length about the dangers of neglecting environment. He observed that the deteriorating relationship between people and nature is primarily due to lack of concern and absence of value systems that can be traced in scores of vernacular literature of India. Prof. K. Satchidanandan, eminent author and poet and former Secretary of the Akademi chaired the session and spoke at length about the presence of Nature in the writings of poetry in both modern and post-modern literature of the world. He observed that literature reflects the reality and absence of Nature in literature is just a reflection of massive apathy of humans towards nature and environment. Sri Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh Internation and Guest of Honor, spoke briefly about the origin of Sulabh and various initiatives of the organization towards Swachh Bharat. Noted writers Anamika and Apoorvanand also spoke on the occasion. At the poets’ meet, five noted poets, , H.K. Kaul, Subroto Bondo, Som Dutt Sharma and Mohanjit, recited poems revolving around the theme of people and nature.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 9 DELHI

Symposium on ‘Children’s Literature in Punjabi’ October 5, 2014, Barnala

ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration with Komantri Punjabi Ilam, organized a symposium on ‘Children’s Literature in Punjabi’ on October 5, 2014, at Seminar Hall, Gobind Bansal Charitable Trust, Barnala, Punjab. In the inaugural session, Ms. Manjeet Kaur Bhatia, Programme Officer, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the Sparticipants and guests and briefly outlined various initiatives of Sahitya Akademi in promoting Children’s literature in 24 languages and throughout the country. Dr Rawail Singh, Convener, Punjabi Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, in his introductory address, talked at length about the present scenario and future possibilities of Punjabi Children literature and also about the challenges before the writers of Children’s literature in Punjabi. Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh, in his Presidential address remarked that since many writers are coming forward of late to write children’s literature in Punjabi, the future of Punjabi Children’s writing looks bright though they must cope with the ever changing scenario and try also to adapt from other languages. In the first session chaired by Col. Jasbir Bhullar, two noted scholars, Dr Sarabjit Bedi Ms. Jaskanwaljit Kaur presented papers. In the second session that was chaired by Dr Darshan Bhutter, four noted scholars, Darshan Singh Ast, Sri Manmohan Singh Doun, Kamaljit Neelon and Sri Tarsem read from their works. A large number of writers and scholars participated in the programme.

Sahitya Akademi at Frankfurt Book Fair October 8-12, 2014, Frankfurt

ahitya Akademi participated in the Frankfurt International SBook Fair from October 8-12, 2014 at Frankfurt on the invitation from National Book Trust, India. The Akademi delegation was led by Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi,which also comprised Ms. Renu Mohan Bhan, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi and the noted writers, Dr Gourhari Das, Sri K.P. Ramanunni, Sri Damodar Mauzo and Sri Balram Prem Narain. For the inauguration of India pavilion Akademi delegation at Frankfurt Book Fair Dr K. Sreenivasarao and Ms. Renu Mohan Bhan joined Mr. Raveesh Kumar, Consul General, Indian Embassy, Frankfurt, Dr Sadhana Rout, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ms. Rolly Mahindra Verma, Director, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ms. Nidhi Pandey, Director, Publication Division, Govt. of India, Sri A. K. Paul, Business Executive, Publication Division, Sri Debabrata Sarkar, Deputy Director (Art), National Book Trust, India, Sri Ramesh Mittal, Capexil and Sri Suresh Chandra, HRD Ministry, Govt. of India. The Akademi has been participating in International fairs, including Frankfurt and organizing series of literary exchange programmes in order to promote its flagship programme, Indian Literature Abroad. The Akademi had a number of fruitful meetings with International publishers with interest in Indian literature during the Frankfurt Fair. The Akademi also arranged a daylong reading of papers and poetry by the writers of the delegation. Two of them, Sri Damodar Mauzo and Sri K.P. Ramanunni also released their works during the Fair.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 10 DELHI

Meet the Author possible avenues for future growth. Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice October 10, 2014, New Delhi Chancellor, Punjabi University, in his address talked about the creative medium of theatre and announced the creation ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Meet the Author’ of Fellowship in the name of Norah Richards, a pioneer programme with eminent Sindhi linguist and writer, in Punjabi theatre, to be conferred on best theatre artist of Sri Murlidhar Jetley on October 10, 2014 at the Punjab every year. Dr Rawail Singh, Convener, Punjabi S Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, explained the purpose Akademi auditorium in New Delhi. Sri Murlidhar Jetley, who has more than 20 titles to his credit including history and objective of the seminar. Dr Mohinder Kumar, in his of literature, linguistics, criticism and has been decorated keynote address, recalled the contributions of stalwarts of a number of honors, thanked the Akademi for the yesteryears in Punjabi theatre and thanked the Akademi opportunity given. He spoke about his early life, trauma for organizing a timely seminar in this regard. of partition, his passion for , troubles In the first session that was chaired by Ajmer Singh Aulakh, he faced in tracing the roots, his works and influences five noted theatre experts, Navnidra Behl, Kamlesh Uppal, on his writing. He shed light on the current scenario of Gurcharan Singh Channi, Jaspal Deol and Pritam Singh Sindhi language in general and literature in particular. Rupal presented papers covering various facets of Punjabi Writers of Sindhyat, members of local Sindhi bodies, theatre. In the evening a play by students of the department noted writers and scholars participated in large numbers. was staged. In the first session of the second day that A brief interactive session followed and all the writers and was chaired by Sri Kamlesh Uppal, six theatre experts, scholars actively participated in the session. Sharma, Navdeep Kaur, Mukesh Gautam, Manpal Tiwana, Amrik Gill and Sunita Dhir presented papers. In the valedictory session that was chaired by Sri Deepak Literary Forum Manmohan Singh, three scholars, Jaspal Kaur Deol, Dr October 16, 2014, New Delhi Jaspal Singh, and Amrik Gill spoke. Ms. Manjeet Kaur Bhatia, Programme Officer, Sahitya Akademi, proposed a ahitya Akademi organized a literary forum featuring vote of thanks. a play reading by eminent Hindi writer, playwright, Spoet and critic, Dr. Nandkishore Acharya on October 16, 2014 at the Akademi conference hall in New Meet the Author Delhi. Dr. Nandkishore Acharya who shot into fame with October 17, 2014, Shillong his celebrated “Ajneya ki Kaavya Titirsha” has more than 25 titles to his credit including poetry collections, plays, ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in association with criticism and translations and he read out one of his plays the Department of English, NEHU, organized a to large number of writers, scholars, playwrights and S‘Meet the Author’ programme with eminent writer poets who attended the event. A brief interactive session Temsula Ao in Shillong on October 17, 2014. followed and the audience actively participated in the Ms. Gitanjali Chatterjee, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya session. Akademi, introduced Prof Temsula Ao to the audience and spoke briefly about the life, works and legacy of Temsula Ao. Prof Ao talked briefly about her early life Seminar and her education. She informed the audience that it is on ‘100 years of Punjabi Theatre’ her teaching foreign literature brought her close to her October 16-17, 2014, Patiala roots and said her identity is an acceptance of the world that she had accidentally stepped into, but would not trade ahitya Akademi, New Delhi and the Department of that for anything else in the world. She talked about the Theatre and Television, Punjabi University, Patiala, world of varying yardsticks, attempts to define oneself in Sorganized a two day seminar to commemorate the that map, inextricable relationship between language and centenary of Punjabi theatre on October 16th and 17th, culture and how often they mirror each other, paradoxical 2014 at Patiala University. and reflective qualities of any given language and how In the inaugural session, Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, language helps bridge various traditions. Prof Ao recited a Sahitya Akademi welcomed the participants and guests poem she penned during the 9th poetry festival in Argenita, and talked at length about the evolution of Punjabi ‘Forgive Me’ and a brief interactive session followed her theatre over past 100 years, the challenges they faced and lecture.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 11 DELHI

Literary Forum spoke about necessity of the platforms Shivnath to Dogri literature. Shiv Nath, eminent writer, critic, literary October 17, 2014, New Delhi like the ones where participants are participating, especially for languages historian and an accomplished scholar, ahitya Akademi organized a story like Dogri and also spoke about the has contributed immensely to Dogri reading session with three noted contributions of Sri Prakash Premi. Literature. His pioneering work on S Dogri Literature is a bench-mark for fiction writers, Premchand Sahajwala, ‘Mulakat’ is a platform for the young, future scholars and researchers. His Ashok Gupta and Mishra on upcoming and aspiring writers in all the personal essays and memoirs are very October 17, 2014 at Sahitya Akademi languages and regions of the country popular and are relished not only by to express themselves and present premises in New Delhi. Vivek Mishra’s Dogri readers but others also. story, narrated through an aspiring their literary works to the audience. mother, relives the compassion for Five Dogri young writers and poets In the paper reading sessions that fellow beings; Ashok Gupta’s two participated in the programme. Saroj were chaired by Prof. Nilambar Dev mini stories revolved around fantasy Bala read her short story while four Sharma and Nar Singh Dev Jamwal, and human lonliness and Premchand upcoming poets, Tara Chand Kalandri, four scholars, Prof Veena Gupta, Dr. Ashok Amber, Mohd. Rafiq Rafiq Om Goswami, Dr. Bansi Lai and Sahajwala’s lengthy story traced the and Padam Dev Nadaan recited their Dr. Nirmal Vinod presented papers travails of a family aspiring to make poems. Noted writers, critics and covering life and various aspects of their son an engineer. Noted writer scholars of Dogri literature participated Sri Shivnath’s writings. Sanjeev summed up and evaluated the in the event. readings. Noted writer Archana Varma Prof Champa Sharma, noted also offered her comments. Many ‘Meet the Author’ is the platform where Dogri writer and poet, with whom scholars and writers participated in eminent authors. Poets and playwrights Kavisandhi was held in the evening, the event. The reading session was speak about their lives, works and recited a number of poems from her influences on their writings with the works betraying feminist sensibilities coordinated by Sri Brajendra Tripathi, audience. Sri Prakash Premi, eminent and the role of women in building Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi. Dogri poet, recited poems from his societies and also talked at length works, spoke briefly about his early life, about her writing process. ‘Mulakat’ works and the influences on his poetry. Sri Premi delighted the audience with Book Release and ‘Meet the poems of rhythm, beauty and elegance. October 21, 2014, New Delhi A brief interactive session followed the Author’ recitation. Sri Santanu Gangopadhyay ahitya Akademi organized a October 18, 2014, Jammu proposed a vote of thanks. Sfunction to mark the release of Collected Works of Shantipriya ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, Dwivedi edited by Kamal Kumar organized two Dogri literary events, S Symposium and and a discussion on the book at ‘Mulakat’ and ‘Meet the Author,’ in New Delhi on October 21, 2014. Sri Jammu on October 18, 2014. Kavisandhi October 19, Jammu Vishwanath Tripathi, Sri Prabhakar Shrotriya, Sri Krishnadatta Paliwal ahitya Akademi, New Delhi, and Kamal Kumar participated in the Sorganized two literary events, discussion. Sri Paliwal focused on the a Symposium on legendary Dogri romanticism in Shantipriya Dwivedi’s writer and scholar, Sri Shivnath and works, Sri Prabhakar Shrotriya a Kavisandhi programme with Prof. talked about conflicts between man Champa Sharma on October 19, 2014 and nature in Shantipriya Dwivedi’s at Jammu. works, Sri Vishwanath Tripathi talked In the inaugural session, Sri Santanu about rhythm of prose in the Collected Gangopadhyay, Assistant Editor, Works and Sri Kamal Kumar shared Sri Santanu Gangopadhyay, Assistant Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the his experiences of editing the volume. Editor, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the audience and the participants and Eminent scholars like Dayaprakash participants of both the programmes, spoke briefly about the legacy of Sinha, Saumitri Mohan, Ranjit Saha, introduce them to the audience and late Shivnath. Prof Lalit Magotra, Virender Saxena and Renu Pant spoke briefly about the platforms of Convener, Dogri Advisory Board, participated in the discussion. The the day and also about the forthcoming Sahitya Akademi, in his inaugural function was coordinated by Sri events lined up for Dogri. Prof. Lalit speech, talked at length about Brajendra Tripathi, Deputy Secretary, Magotra, in his inaugural speech significant contributions of Sri Sahitya Akademi.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 12 DELHI

Symposium on Khwaja Ahmad Abbas October 24, 2014, New Delhi

ahitya Akdemi, to commemorate the birth centenary of Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, eminent Urdu writer, organized a symposium at Sahitya Akademi conference hall in New Delhi on October 24, 2014. SDr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and audience and talked briefly about Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ contribution to various genres of Urdu literature. Prof , Fellow, Sahitya Akademi, in his Presidential speech, said that Khwaja Ahmad Abbas was a multi-faceted scholar, writer, journalist and film script writer and we should make all efforts to remember and preserve his writings that were hallmark of secularism. Prof Syed Ehtesham Hasnain, former Vice Chancellor of Hyderabad Central University, who was the Chief Guest of the evening, described Khwaja Ahmad Abbas as a visionary, socialist, writer par excellence and a journalist committed to secularism. During the symposium, a monograph on Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, written by Khalid Ashraf was released. In the paper reading session, five noted Urdu scholars, Dr Zoya Zaidi, Musharraf Alam Zauqi, Dr Khalid Ashra, Suresh Kohli and Dr Sohail Anjum, presented papers covering Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ short stories, Abbas’ fiction writing, life and works of Abbas, Abbas’ film writing and Abbas’ journalism, respectively. Sri Chander Bhan Khayal, Convener, Urdu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, proposed a vote of thanks and Dr Mushtaque Sadaf, Programme Officer, Sahitya Akademi, coordinated the programme.

Symposium on ‘India and Russia: Literary Exchanges and Influences’ October 30, 2014, Moscow

n the first day of the Writers’ Delegation of OSahitya Akademi to Russia as part of the Cultural Exchange Programme, the Indian Embassy arranged a symposium at the MGIMO, Moscow. The theme of discussion was “India and Russia: Literary Exchanges and Influences”. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr Elena Gladkova, Head of the Indo-Iranian and African languages Chair and attended by members of the faculty- Dr Klara Drukyova, Dr Alexander Sigorsky, Dr Marina Akademi delegation at Moscow Alexandrova and Dr Yulia Golubkina, enthusiastic students and research scholars. Dr Gladkova felt exchanges like these and hearing first-hand from scholars and writers of India would add a new dimension to the understanding of the country for the students. In his opening remarks, Dr K Sreenivasa Rao, Secretary Sahitya Akademi mentioned that the visit was being planned and coordinated for almost a year between the Akademi and the Indian Embassy in Russia and stressed the need for reigniting the cultural ties between the two friendly countries. The cultural association between India and

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 13 DELHI

Russia, he noted, dates back to several centuries and post Indian Independence these ties only got stronger. He spoke of the multi-lingual nature of India and how the writers’ delegation too reflected this very plurality that India prides in. Prof Varyam Singh, who has been pioneering scholar and researcher on Indo-Russian studies spoke prolifically in Russian, succinctly tracing the entire history of this association between the two countries and the eagerness with which several texts and literary works in Indian languages, as also subaltern voices of Dalit writing had been translated into Russian. He also recounted his own experiences at the University where he was part of the Russian Studies Department. Indology studies in Russia are characterized by the holistic perspective to India embracing her history, economics, literature, arts, linguistics and culture. It is noteworth that the study of Sanskrit has always caught the attention of Russian scholars and right from the late 18th Century, Kalidasa’s works, the Epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata and the Gita were translated to Russian. It was hence apt that the next speaker, the renowned Sanskrit scholar, Prof Radhavallabh Tripathi took to stage and reminisced about these influences and exchanges. As early as in 1851, the Chair of Sanskrit was established in Moscow University and in St. Petersburg in 1855. Prof Tripathi spoke about the many scholars who have contributed to the growth and study of Sanskrit in Russia and his own association with all of them. Odia poet Dr Paramita Tripathi then spoke about her childhood memories related to Russia and its language and culture. She recalled having easy access to works of several writers of Russia like Tolstoy and Gorky, the letters of from Russia and the exchanges between Mahatma Gandhi and Tolstoy which showed how deeply the latter understood the problems of the struggling for freedom then. The influence of and films too was stressed on by Dr. Tripathi. Speaking from his personal experiences related to Russia, English author and historian, Dr. Vikram Sampath mentioned two individuals who shaped his understanding of Russia- eminent painter Svetoslav Roerich and Kathak exponent Dr. Maya Rao who spent 2 years in Moscow to learn Russian ballet. He also spoke about the genre of Indian Writing in English, which unlike Indian language traditions dating back several centuries, is about 150 years old. While its writers have a wider reach and market, they have few cultural registers to draw from. Mr. Rahul Shrivastava, Counsellor (PIC) delivered the vote of thanks. During the visit, Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi also held a wide ranging meetings with publishers of Russia to promote modern Indian classics in Russian language under Akademi’s flagship programme, Indian Literature Abroad (ILA).

Indian Literature, India’s first and premier literary journal in English, publishes original writing in English and English translations of creative writing from 24 Indian Languages, scores of minor languages and dialects. Indian Literature is the only English literary journal in the world which publishes translations from so many tongues. Indian Literature publishes Novels, Short Stories, Poems, Plays, Critical Essays, Interviews, Dalit Literature, Oral Traditions, Folktales and Book Reviews. We appreciate your keen interest in Literature and we request you to associate with Sahitya Akademi by subscribing to “Indian Literature”. Subscription rates for the journal are Rs. 250 for one year and Rs. 650 for 3 years.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 14 Bengaluru

Bhasha Samman October 5, 2014, Thiruvananthapuram

ahitya Akademi conferred its Bhasha SSamman on those scholars who have made exemplary contribution to the preservation and promotion of classical and medieval literature and minor languages and dialects at a glittering ceremony at Kanakakunnu Palace Main Hall, Thiruvananthapuram on October 5, 2014. Bhasha Samman for contributions to classical and medieval literature was Bhasha Samman awardees with the President and Secretary of Sahitya Akademi and the Chief Guest, Smt. Sugatha kumari conferred on Puthussery Ramachandran and Sumerchand Kesarichand Jain. Vishwanath Tripathi was conferred the Samman for his contributions to medieval Bhakti poetry. Bhasha Samman for the category of minor languages and dialects was conferred on Mahadeo Savji Andher (Posthumous) for his effort to preserve literary heritage of Warli language, on Motiraj Bhajnu Rathod and Ramchander Ramesh Arya for their contributions to Banjara / language and on B. Lalthangliana for his contribution to . Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi welcomed the awardees and the scholars assembled and briefly enumerated the efforts of the Akademi in preserving and promoting literature contained in all the major and minor languages of India, including numerous dialects. He praised the efforts of all the award winners for this year for their stupendous contributions to the minor languages and dialects. Dr Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari conferred the awards that comprised a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and a plaque. Dr Tiwari spoke about the relevance of preserving the literature contained in scores of dialects as they symbolize the hoar philosophies handed down from the remote past and carry relevance for all ages. He also said in his Presidential address that all the awardees of 2014 are gurus and all are worthy of the honor they have received. Smt , eminent poet and activist who was the chief guest of the evening spoke about how confluence of rich and diverse languages along with numerous customs, mores and rites that make up the soul of the nation. She said Sahitya Akademi should be saluted for encouraging and promoting literature even in minor languages, the Akademi is doing a great service to the nation as a whole. She also thanked the Akademi for choosing Thiruvananthapuram as a venue for presenting these awards. Receiving the award, Puthusseri Ramachandran said he was very happy for this recognition and award by the Akademi but felt more research and studies are needed into medieval literature especially in Malayalam. Ramchander Ramesh Arya talked about how languages can be compared to a bouquet with different flowers and thanked the Akademi for its efforts in this direction. Lalthangliana said he was very excited to receive the award as this is a signal that not all have forgotten the tribal languages. Sri Mahadeo Savji Andher’s son received the award on behalf of his father while Vishwanath Tripathi and Sumerchand Kesarichand could not attend the function due to ill health. Sri C. Radhakrishnan, Convener, Malayalam Advisory Board proposed a vote of thanks. The event was well attended by more than three hundred scholars from all over Kerala and both print and electronic media covered the function prominently.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 15 Bengaluru

Tribute Seminar to U.R. Ananthamurthy on Indian Languages in September 2, 2014 Bengaluru School Education 6th and 7th September 2014, Bengaluru egional Office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru organized a Literary Forum “A Tribute to U.R. egional Office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru, RAnanthamurthy” on September 2, 2014 at the in collaboration with Bhasha Bharati Senate Hall, Central College Campus, Bengaluru. Dr K. Pradhikhara, organized a two day seminar on Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi welcomed R ‘Indian Languages in School Education’ on 6th and 7th of the scholars and writers assembled to pay homage to September, 2014 at Nayana Sabhangana, Bengaluru. one of the giants of modern and spoke about his personal experiences with the celebrated The seminar was inaugurated by Dr Chandrasekhara writer during his tenure as the Akademi President. Kambar, Vice President, Sahitya Akademi and in his Dr Chandrasekhara Kambar, Vice President, Sahitya inaugural address Dr Kambar felt that government should step in urgently to stem the loss of languages and dialects in the rapidly changing modern societies and especially in the wake of recent Supreme Court ruling on the language of education. Dr K.V. Narayana, President, Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati Pradhikara while speaking on the occasion called for urgent revamp of the present system of imparting of education and said variety of languages and they are in hundreds, are not being represented in the education system at all. Dr Debi Prasanna Patnaik, Prof Ganesh N Devi, Prof N. Gopi and Prof K. Nachimuthu, speaking in the inaugural session called upon the government to adopt scientific methods to ensure the survival of Indian Akademi presided over the programme and spoke about languages. the great qualities of Prof Ananthamurthy that made him one of the foremost modernist thinkers of India. He said In the first academic session that was chaired by Prof O.L. Prof Ananthamurthy always upheld rationalistic views Nagabhushana, Prof Annamalai, Prof Ushadevi and Prof and also helped numerous young writers during his long Joseph Koipally presented their papers. In the second and illustrious career. Dr Kambar also said along with Adiga, Prof Ananthamurthy was one of the forerunners academic session that was chaired by Sri Bharat Inamdhar, of Navya movement.Dr. C.N.Ramachandran, Sri Prof Joga Singh, Prof Kanji Patel, Prof Chandraprakash N.S.Lakshminaryana Bhatta, Sri G.K.Govinda Rao,Sri Deval, Prof O.N. Kaul and Dr Rajesh Sachdeva presented H.S.Venkatesha Murthy, Sri L. Hanumanthaiah, Sri Vivek their papers. In the third academic session that was Shanbhag, Sri Manu Chakravarthy, Dr.M.S.Ashadevi, Sri chaired by Dr Nataraj Huliyar, Dr Balram Pande, Prof N.A.M.Ismail and Dr Narahalli Balasubramanya were also Prashant Nayak, Prof and Dr K. Sethuraman present in the programme and shared their experiences presented their papers. In the fourth academic session that with Prof. U.R. Ananthamurthy.Sri Vivek Shanbhag while speaking on the occasion recalled many incidents was chaired by Prof C. Naganna, Dr Mahabaleshwara Rao, and shared some qualities of Prof Ananthamurthy that Prof B. Mallikarjun and Dr Meti Mallikaruna presented are virtually unknown to the public. He also said anyone their papers. Dr Narahalli Balasubramanya, Convener, who would go to meet Prof Ananthamurthy would never Kannada Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi and Sri K.A. empty handed, for they always gain something or the Dayanand, Director, Kannada and Culture Department, other in one’s interactions with him. M.S. Ashadevi, noted Government of Karnataka spoke at the valedictory session writer and critic, N.S. Lakshminarayana , noted poet and C.N. Ramachandran, noted writer and critic that was chaired by Sri C. Radhakrishnan, Convener, shared some interesting anecdotes from their experiences Malayalam Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi. with Prof Ananthamurthy.A documentary film on U.R. Ananthamurthy, directed by Krishna Masadi and produced by the Sahitya Akademi, was screened on the occasion.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 16 Bengaluru

Symposium on ‘New Harvest in Kannada Literature’ September 20, 2014, Mangalore

ahitya Akademi, in collaboration with Besant Women’s expressions need not result in combinatorial explosion SCollege, Mangalore, organized a one-day symposium nor lead to sensibilities sans morality.Dr Narahalli on ‘New Harvest in Kannada Literature’ at the college on Balasubramanya, Convener, Kannada Advisory Board, September 20, 2014. Sahitya Akademi thanked the college for agreeing to collaborate and organize the symposium. He listed out various initiatives of Sahitya Akademi and then pointed out the selfless nature of the Akademi which has not been indulging in profit making even in the present and rapidly changing society. Dr Narahalli Balasubramanya also pointed out that in the ever changing world, literature too has to adopt, for, archaic language cannot express modern sentiments. But, he felt changes are not easily accepted in the world and gave the example of how even Kuvempu did not accept Basava as a poet but only as a social reformer. He said in his opinion Basava Vachanas are typical examples of seamless literary forms and the emergence of such literary form without any surprise met with non-acceptance. He said literature cannot be written Sri Vivek Rai delivering inaugural address keeping in mind theories of literature. All literature is the reflection of experiences of life and the latter provides the Sri K.P. Radhakrishnan, Programme Officer, Sahitya basis for the former. So, changes in the environment have Akademi Regional Office at Bengaluru, welcomed the to be positively perceived, understood and articulated well participants, the scholars, the staff and students of the for enriching literature. Prof B.K. Pushpalatha, Principal, College. Dr B.A. Vivek Rai, noted Kannada scholar Besant Women’s College proposed a vote of thanks. inaugurated the symposium and spoke at length about the role of technology in literature and forms of literature. He took the example of blog writing to analyze and elaborate the topic. Though blogs started off as medium for those Literary Forum who did not find enough or sufficient opportunities in the on ‘Book Culture’ mainstream media, soon it turned into the medium for all September 21, 2014, Bengaluru to express themselves including those who are already in he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru the mainstream media. Though initially the blogs served organized a literary forum on ‘Book Culture’ on as tools at the hands of political parties, it also helped to T September 21, 2014 at the office premises. promote creative works and to share personal lives in due course. The advancement of blogs and social media has Sri K.P. Radhakrishnan, Programme Officer, Sahitya also resulted in what we can call as Badugalillada Holagalu Akademi RO, Bengaluru, welcomed the participants, (‘Farm without separating wedges’). Dr Rai spoke about scholars and the audience. Smt. P. Chandrika, Member, how this is not a new literary form and gave the examples Kannada Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi introduced of Bharata, Kavya, Ragale etc and felt that this the speakers to the audience and spoke about the role and form collage can be traced in modern Kannada novels of relevance of books in the modern world and listed out Purnachandra Tejaswi. Dr Rai then delved into negative Akademi’s initiatives in this regard. Sri J.N. Shamarao traced the existence of book culture in Karnataka to 10th century aspects of use of technology and called for self-regulation C.E. and cited the example of Dhanachintamani Attimabbe as a most suitable method to deal with such negativity. who distributed 1000 copies of the epic ‘Shantipurana’ Dr Rai also talked about the presence of multiple ideas, written by the poet Ponna. She is remembered till date as collision of ideas and combinatorial explosion of ideas the first publisher of Jain and Kannada works in Karnataka. and gave examples to deal with each of them. He called He said that reading, encouraging others to read, collecting for traditional literary forms to embrace the new tools books, acquiring reading habits, interacting and expressing towards making literature without barriers and the world one’s experience gained out of reading books – all that without borders in a true sense. Confluence of forms and are involved in book culture but in the modern world of

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 17 Bengaluru gadgets this culture is fast vanishing. He also lamented textbook committees lack sensitivity for creative literature and at best said to standardize unscrupulous reading of pop literature. Sri Prakash Kambathalli in his speech said in the modern period book culture existed vibrantly in Karnataka for close to two centuries but the on the face of print and electronic media and internet the reading habits have been reduced considerably. He said English language education with the accent on technology should also share the blame and called on the state governments to make teaching in regional languages compulsory. Sri Doddegowda agreed with the previous speakers and felt that governments should do more to inculcate the reading habits in children. Sri Ravikumar, publisher, and other Hindi Saptah event in progress scholars present actively participated in the discussion She urged everyone to come out of the narrow domain that followed the speeches. Smt. P. Chandrika proposed a vote of thanks. of language politics and embrace Hindi as a national language. At the end of the competitions she gave away various prizes to the staff of the Akademi. Literary Forum – A reading Kathasandhi September 21, 2014, Bengaluru with P. Satyavati September 27, 2014, Vijayawada he second edition of the series of programmes under Tthe auspices of Sahitya Akademi was held at Atta Galatta on September 21, 2014 with a reading by the noted writer Samhita Arni.Sri K.P. Radhakrishnan, Programme Officer, welcomed the guest Ms. Samhita Arni and also theaudience. He also spoke on the literary activities of the Sahitya Akademi. Before the reading, Samhita was in conversation with Kavitha Rao and also spoke briefly about her life, writings and influences on her writing. She read out excerpts from her books ‘The Mahabharata: A Child’s View,’ ‘Sita’s Ramayana’ and ‘The Missing Queen.’ After the reading she answered the questions about the survival Ms. P. Satyavati speaking on the occasion of writer in the digital age. Sri Subodh Sankar of Atta he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru Galatta proposed a vote of thanks. Torganized a Kathasandhi programme with the celebrated Telugu short story writer and feminist P. Hindi Saptah Satyavati on September 27, 2014 at Institute of Engineers September 22, 2014, Bengaluru Association Hall, Vijayawada. Before the reading, Ms. P. Satyavati spoke briefly about her life, her writings and the indi Saptah was celebrated at the regional office of influences on her writing. Then she read out one of her HSahitya Akademi at Bengaluru with lot of enthusiasm stories that revolve around the waiting mother for her son and culminated with series of events and competitions on to return from school. The story is the portrayal of modern September 22, 2014. Smt. Maithili Rao, noted writer was mothers in constant tension for one reason or another. A the judge and presided over the function. She spoke about brief interactive session followed the reading. At the end the role and relevance of a national language and felt of the session, Ms. Satyavati observed that introspection that Hindi fulfils all the criteria and hence every citizen and self-criticism is the need of the hour for the overall of the country should embrace it without any hesitation. improvement of personalities and societies.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 18 Bengaluru

Nari Chetna September 27, 2014, Vijayawada

The regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru in association with Telugu Bhasha Chaitanya Samiti, Vijayawada organized Nari Chetna programme for women writers on September 27, 2014 at the Institute of Engineers Hall, Vijayawada.Sri K.P. Radhakrishnan, Programme Officer, Sahitya Akademi RO, Bengaluru, welcomed the participants and the audience and briefly explained the purpose and objectives of the platform Nari Chetna. In the short story reading session that was chaired by Ms. Koka Vimalakumari, five noted women Participants of the Nari Chetna programme fiction writers including Ms. Vimalakumari, Ms. Regina, Ms. Kopuri Pushpadevi, Ms. Jayasri and Ms Kavuri Satyavathi read out their stories. All the stories focused on the day to day problems faced by women in life. In the poetry reading session, five women poets, Ms. Pratibandla Rajani, Ms. Umamaheswari, Ms. Yellaprada Vani Sarojini and Ms. Talla Sita Mahalaxmi recited their poems. Sri K.P. Radhakrishnan proposed a vote of thanks.

Birth Centenary Symposium on ‘Sanjivdev’ September 28, 2014, Tenali

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru organized a day long birth centenary symposium on the celebrated Twriter Dr Sanjivdev on September 28, 2014 at Tenali. In the inaugural session, Sri K.P. Radhakrishnan, Programme Officer, Sahitya Akademi RO, Bengaluru, welcomed the participants and guests and briefly spoke about the activities of the Akademi and its efforts to popularize literature all over the country. Dr Velaga Venkatappaiah, Member, Telugu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, in his inaugural address talked about the place of Tenali in Telugu literature and recalled some of the doyens who hailed from there. He thanked the Akademi for choosing Tenali as the venue for the symposium and requested the officials to install a statue of Dr Dev and also publish a reader on Dr Dev. Dr N. Gopi, Convener, Telugu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, who chaired the session, paid tributes to Dr Snjivdev and talked at length about the qualities of Dr Dev’s writings and how his writings captivated large sections of the society. Dr Gopi observed that Tummapudi, a small village has been immortalized by Dr Sanivdev’s writings. Dr V. Kondalarao, former Director, Telugu Akademi, talked about the writings and paintings of Dr Dev and felt that they have everlasting value. In the first session that was chaired by Sri Singamaneni Narayana, noted short story writer, five scholars, Dr T. Ravichand, Dr Laxman Chakravarthi, Sri Muthevi Ravindranath, Dr Kadiyala Ramamohan Roy and Dr C. Nagabhushanam presented papers. All the papers focused on the beauty and elegance of Dr Dev’s writings and poetry and is reminiscent of alltime great litterateurs of Andhra Pradesh.In the second session that was chaired by Sri Somepalli Venkata Subbaiah, President, Guntur Dt. Writers’ Association, fived noted scholars, Dr B. Sundararao, Sri Kottapalli Ravibabu, Sri Modugula Ravikrishna, Sri N.R. Tapaswi and Sri Mungara Jashua presented papers focusing on the prefaces, criticisms, letters, English writings and philosophies of Dr Sanjivdev respectively.Sri Ravela Sambasivarao presided over the Valedictory session and delighted all with interesting anecdotes from Dr Dev’s life. Sri Vadrevu China Veerabhadrudu presented a valedictory address focusing on the personality of Dr Dev and Sri Inala Malleswararao proposed a vote of thanks. The event was covered in the local print and electronic media.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 19 Bengaluru

books, reading habits and how the digital books can never Through My Window replace the experience of book reading.Dr Prasanna Mani, October 5, 2014, Tirupati the next speaker talked about the necessity of women writing and urged the women writers to write more explicitly about he regional office at Sahitya Akademi organized a their problems. She talked about the power of women and T‘Through My Window’ programme on the life and their superior mental strength compared to men. More than writings of eminent Telugu writer Sri Madhurantakam 200 women participated in the programme and the event was Rajaram at the Arts Block Auditorium of S.V. University, well covered in the local media. Tirupati on October 5, 2014. Sri Singamaneni Narayana spoke about Sri Rajaram’s works.Sri Singamaneni Narayana in his speech observed that it is Madhurantakam Rajaram Symposium who was chiefly responsible for putting Rayalaseema life and on ‘Contemporary Telugu Story’ idiom in the Telugu writings, especially Telugu short fiction. October 12, 2014, Nellore Hence Madhurantakam Rajaram has become synonymous with Rayalaseema short stories. Sri Narayana also strove to he regional office of Sahitya Akademi, in association with break the myth that Sri Rajaram was essentially a middle TNellore Zilla Rachaytala Sangham, Nellore, organized class writers and said that Sri Rajaram strove for the welfare a day long symposium on ‘Contemporary Telugu Story’ on and championed the cause of the poor, downtrodden and October 12, 2014 at Vikrama Simhapuri Conference Hall, V oppressed throughout his life. He cited stories like Ikkada R High School Ground, Nellore. Memanthaa Kshaamam, Vinoda Pradarsanam etc to establish his point. Sri Narayana pointed out that Sri Rajaram did not In the inaugural session, Sri K.P. Radhakrishnan, Programme merely write about the wails and pleasures of the human life Officer, Sahitya Akademi RO, Bengaluru, welcomed the but also on the philosophies of land and they are reflected participants, writers and scholars and spoke briefly about in some of his stories like Jeevanmukhudu. Sri Narayana the purpose and objectives of symposia of this type. Prof N. observed that unlike many of his ilk, Sri Rajaram practiced Gopi, who presided over the session said in his speech that what he wrote and led a simple and humble life till the stories are reflection of changes that any society undergoes end. He wrote stories denouncing patriarchy and practiced and therefore it is inevitable the nature of the story is the that; he wrote for the cause of poor and he lived that way nature of the society. He said globalization has produced and showed the path to fellow writers. A brief but lively more negatives than positives and hence this is bound to get interactive session followed the lecture by Sri Singamaneni reflected in the stories. Sri Vihari, noted writer, in his keynote Narayana. The event was well covered in local print and address, presented an overview of Telugu stories especially in electronic media. the period between 2009 and 2014. He generally agreed with the views of the Presidential address delivered by Prof Gopi on Nari Chetna the ill effects of globalization and the larger marginalization October 11, 2014, Manampoor of the poor. In the first session that was chaired by Dr Pellakuru Jayaprada, four noted story writers, Ms Indraganti he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru Janakibala, Sri V. Raja Raja Mohan Rao, Sri Vennalakanti organized a Nari Chetna programme for women writers T Rajeswara Prasad and Smt. Chandralatha presented papers. on October 11, 2014 at Navakeralam Arts and Sports Association, Manampoor, Kerala. Dr C. R. Prasad, Member, The papers focused on the dominant themes of modern short Malayalam Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, introduced stories in Telugu - effects of globalization and problems of the writers and spoke at length about various initiatives of urban living, changing narratives in storytelling, effect of the Akademi for the promotion of Indian literature all over movies on methods of storytelling and vanishing creativity in the country. Dr Chandramathy, noted Malayalam short story contemporary storytelling respectively.In the second session writer talked about feminism in , her that was chaired by V. Raja Rao, three scholars, own writings and the influences on her writings. She felt Madhurantakam Narendra, R.M. Umamaheswar Rao and literature should reflect society and the happenings therein. Ms. Muktevi Bharathi presented papers. The papers focused Feminism for the sake of it will not be able to do justice either on reflection of effects of globalization in Telugu short to feminism or to literature. She said moderate feminism as stories, diversity of themes in contemporary Telugu short practiced by writers like Lalithambika Antharjanam would stories and the contemporary Telugu stories with sea / ocean be more constructive and not destructive. She pointed out as a back drop respectively.Ms. Pathuri Annapurna chaired James Joyce as a single most influence on her writings. the valedictory session and talked about the interlinking of Smt. Savitri Rajeevan, who spoke next, traced the origin human life and story and observed that life itself is a story. of man-woman conflicts to ancient times and agreed with Prof N. Gopi, presented different dimensions of contemporary Dr Chandramathy that constructive feminism will help the Telugu Short Story writing and also spoke briefly about cause of women also. Smt Rajeevan also talked about the Telengana society and its story. Sri Nanduri Raja Gopal,

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 20 Bengaluru editor of Chinku, in his valedictory address, summed up topics in Savithramma’s writings and her interactions with the day’s events and presented a critical appreciation of the the legendary writer. Dr Vasundhara Bhoopathi proposed symposium. Sri Mateti Ratna Prasad of Nerasam proposed a a vote of thanks. The event was well covered in the local vote of thanks. media.

Symposium Birth Centenary Symposium on Life and Writings of H.V. Savithramma on Prasannakavi Sankarambadi October 18, 2014, Bengaluru Sundarachari October 20, 2014, Tirupati he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru Torganizaed a one day symposium on ‘Life and Writings he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru, in of H.V. Savithramma’ on October 18, 2014 at Krishnaraja Tassociation with Telugu Bhashodyama Samiti, organized Parishanmandira, Bengaluru. a symposium on Prasannakavi Sankarambadi Sundarachari to commemorate his birth centenary on October 20, 2014 at In the inaugural session Sri K.P. Radhakrishnan, Programme Sri Padmavathi Women’s Degree and P.G. College, Tirupati. Officer, Sahitya Akademi RO, Bengaluru, welcomed the participants and other scholars. He spoke briefly about various Dr. K. Sreenivasaro, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants, scholars and others who attended the event initiatives of the Akademi to promote Indian literature across and spoke briefly about various initiatives of the Akademi to the country. Dr C. Sarvamangala, eminent Kannada writer, promote Indian literature all over India. He said he was very in her inaugural address, described Savithramma as one of happy to attend the birth centenary symposium of the poet the pioneers of women’s literature in Kannada along with who gave telugu people their state anthem. Prof N. Gopi, Kodagina Gowramma. She also pioneered translations into Convener, Telugu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, chaired Kannada by translating giants like Tagore, Chekhov among the session and explained how the song ‘Maa Telugu Talliki others. Dr Sarvamangala also explained the Gandhian effect …’ represents all of Sundarachari’s writings and though he in her later writings can be attributed to the dominance had been writing over 40 years, Sundarachari received due of Congress in the Princely state of Mysore from 1930s. recognition only in 1975. Prof W. Rajendra, Vice Chancellor, Smt. P. Chandrika, Member, Kannada Advisory Board, S.V. University, Tirupati, hoped the legendary poet’s poems Sahitya Akademi, in her keynote address, spoke about how and writings should inspire all Telugus to unite though Savithramma’s partition stories are different from that of those the state might have been divided. Sri Mannava Bhaskara appeared in other languages at that time and she was an original Naidu, Guest of Honor, who looked after the poet till his thinker par excellence. She commended Sahitya Akademi death narrated interesting anecdotes. Prof R. Chandrasekhara for organizing symposium on the writings of Savithramma. Reddy, Member, Telugu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi Dr Narahalli Balasubramanya, Convener, Kannada Advisory talked about the simplicity of Sundarachari’s poems. Dr N. Board, Sahitya Akademi, in his presidential address, talked Venugopal, AIR, appealed to the people to publish Sundarachari’s complete works so that the gems contained about the peculiar qualities and strands of Savithramma’s in those works can be passed onto the future generations writings. He felt that directness and simplicity and ensuing without any loss. Dr Gnanakumari, Principal of the College lack of philosophical complications were the strengths thanked the Sahitya Akademi to host the symposium in the of Savithramma’s writings. Smt. Vasundhara Bhoopathi, college premises. President, Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha, Bengaluru, proposed a vote of thanks. Dr B.N. Sumitra Bai chaired the In the first session that was chaired by Sri Kota Purushotam, session and she spoke about the evolution of H.V. Savitramma President, Aarasam, two noted scholars, Prof. M. Narendra as a writer and as she evolved more and more genre attached and Prof M. Sampath Kumar presented papers on Geetanjali and Bhudha Geeta respectively focusing on the aesthetic themselves to her repertoire. Two noted scholars Smt. element of the poems. Prof G. Balasubrahmanya, Sri Vinaya Vakkunda and Smt. C.D. Manjula presented papers Krishnadevaraya University, chaired the second session on ‘Savithramma’s Life and Writings’ and ‘Savithramma’s and presented a paper on Sundara Sudha Binduvulu. In world of fiction-aspects’ respectively.Smt. R. Poornima the session, three scholars, Dr Srimannarayana, Dr M. chaired the second session and three scholars, Smt. Preethi Mallikarjuna Reddy and Sri A. Murali presented papers Subhachandra, Dr Sabiha Bhoomigowda and Smt. K. Shairfa on ‘Sundarabharatham,’ ‘Sundara Sangraha Ramayanam’ presented papers on ‘Novels translated by Savithramma: and ‘Sundarachari’s use of Thetageethi’ respectively. In the Question of Nationalism and Modernism,’ ‘Family and third session that was chaired by Prof K. Madhujyothi, two Society portrayed by Savithramma’ and ‘Savithramma: A papers were presented. Ms. G. Sreedevi presented a paper Creative Response’ respectively.Smt. Vijaya, noted Kannada on ‘Naa Swami’ and Prof. Jyothi on ‘Samvedana of writer, in her valedictory address talked about variety of Sundarachari.’ Sri Sakam Nagaraja, a noted scholar chaired

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 21 Bengaluru the valedictory session and spoke in detail about the Telugu Forum, Dr Banjagere Jayaprakash delivered a valedictory language protection movement in Chittoor District. Dr R.A. address and talked about nationalism vis a vis language, state Padmanabha Rao, Retired Additional DG of , and nation. In addition to writers, students and faculty of post in his valedictory address spoke about the multifaceted graduate colleges attended the symposium. beauties of Sundarachar’s poems. A resolution was passed at the symposium requesting Sahitya Akademi to publish a monograph on Prasannakavi Sankarambadi Sundarachari. Birth Centenary Symposium Many professors and scholars from S.V. and Dravidian of Vattikota Alwaruswamy Universities along with the local writers participated in the October 30, 2014, Hyderabad symposium. The regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru organized a day long symposium to commemorate the birth Symposium centenary of eminent Telengana writer Vattikota Alwaru on Perceptions of Nationalism Swamy on October 30, 2014 at the Andhra Saraswatha October 26, 2014, Chitradurga Parishath Hall, Hyderabad. Chairing the inaugural session, Prof N. Gopi, Convener, he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru, in Telugu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the association with Abhiruchi Literary and Cultural Forum, T participants and scholars, spoke briefly about the initiatives Chitradurga, organized a one day symposium on ‘Perceptions of the Akademi and at length about the life and works of of Nationalism’ on October 26, 2014 at Mayura Yatri Nivas Vattikota Alwaru Swamy. Chief Guest, Sri K. Srinivas, Andhra Auditorium, Chitradurga. Jyothi, talked about the necessity to understand the social and In the inaugural session, Sri Suresh Kumar, Sahitya Akademi literary aspects of Alwaru Swamy’s writings matching with RO, Bengaluru, welcomed the participants and scholars and his life. Dr Ammangi Venugopal, Member, Telugu Advisory spoke briefly about various initiatives of the Akademi. Dr Board, Sahitya Akademi, in his keynote address brought out K. Marulasiddappa, noted Kannada writer, inaugurated the several hitherto unknown facets of Alwaru Swamy’s life. Sri symposium and in his inaugural address presented various Vattikota Srinivasulu, son of the legendary writer participated perspectives of ‘nationalism.’ He said Gandhi’s vision of gram as a guest of honor and Dr Bala Srinivasamurthy proposed a swaraj or Nehru’s vision of nation building through villages vote of thanks. In the first session that was chaired by Dr S.V. or the vision of Tagore or Gokhale – all are perspectives Satyanarayana, Member, Telugu Advisory Board, Sahitya of nationalism only. He traced the roots of ‘nationalism’ in Akademi, four scholars, Sri Sunkireddy Narayana Reddy, modern era and also presented an analysis of the development Sri Venu Sankoju, Sri Sangisetty Srinivas and Dr G. Bala of auxiliary concepts at the same time. Sri Veerendra Kumar, Srinivasamurthy presented their papers focusing on various noted Kannada writer, in his introductory address, talked aspects of Alwaru Swamy’s life and works. In the second about the development of nationalism in local roots and also session that was chaired by Ms. Mudiganti Sujatha Reddy, the influences therein. Dr Rajendra Chenni, in his key-note five scholars, Sri B.S. Ramulu, Sri Rapolu Sudarshan, Sri address, talked about how perceptions of nationalism reached Yendluri Sudhakar, Sri Kasula Pratapa Reddy and Sri S. the crescendo in consonance with the rage against the rulers Raghu presented their papers. In the valedictory session, hitting the peak and also how the current perceptions of the chief guest, Dr C. Narayana Reddy, eminent writer, nationalism are components of modernism. Dr Narahalli reminisced about the days of his association with Alwaru Balasubramanya, Convener, Kannada Advisory Board, Swamy and provided interesting anecdotes. Ms. C. Mrinalini, Sahitya Akademi, who chaired the session, talked about Member, Telugu Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi and Ms. various perspectives of nationalism and also talked about Nandini Sidha Reddy also spoke during the session. various activities of the Akademi.In the first session that was chaired by Dr Rajaram Hegde, two scholars, Dr T. Avniash Kavisandhi and Dr Vageeshwari presented papers ‘Multidimensional October 30, 2014, Hyderabad aspects of nationalism’ and ‘Nationalism and Gender contested notions’ respectively. Dr Siraj Ahmed and Dr Meti The regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Bengaluru, as part Mallikarjuna presented their analysis. In the second session of the symposium on Alwaru Swamy, organized a Kavisandhi that was chaired by Dr Chandrasekhara Talva, two scholars, with the noted Telengana poet, Sri Jukanti Jagannatham on Smt. Tarini Subhadayini and Dr Rahamat Tarikere presented October 30, 2014 at Andhra Saraswatha Parishath Hall, their papers ‘Nationalism-problems and challenges ahead’ Hyderabad. Sri Jukanti Jagannatham spoke briefly about and ‘Perceptions of Nationalism and Religious beliefs’ his life, the works and the influences on his poetry and then respectively. Dr Mahesh Harave and Dr Eranna presented recited several poems from his poetry collections. A brief their analysis of the papers presented. In the valedictory interactive session was held after the recitation. session that was chaired by Dr Doddamallaiah, Abhiruchi

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 22 chennai

Symposium on Kambadasan September 1, 2014, Karaikal

he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai held a daylong symposium at Karaikal on September 1, 2014 Ton Poet Kambadasan. In the inaugural session, Sri. A.S. Ilangovan, Officer-in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Chennai welcomed the participants and scholars and spoke briefly about various initiatives of Sahitya Akademi inTamil Nadu. Prof K. Nachimuthu, Convener, Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, in his Presidentail address talked about the literary milieu of Pondicherry which is rich in content and structure. He also briefly narrated Akademi’s efforts to promote the 20th century Tamil poets and their noteworthy contributions. In his keynote address, Dr Sayabu Maraickayar, noted Tamil scholar spoke at length about the revolutionary ideals and socialist philosophy inherent in Kambadasan’s poems which he actually imbibed from his master Bharatidasan. Through English translations Kambadasan’s poems with social messages reached far off lands and drew critical acclaim. Dr Sambath, Member, General Council, Sahitya Akademi said that in terms of poetic outburst and quality of the rhythm and motion, Kambadasan’s poems were next only the and Bharatidasan. He appealed to the youngsters to follow the ideals of his poems. Dr N. Ilango chaired the first session and recounted a poem of Kambadasan. Dr R. Kamarasu, Member, General Council, Sahitya Akademi, presented a paper on the short stories of Kambadasan. Sri Villiyanur Palani presented a paper on Kambadasan’s epics and Smt. Avvai Nirmala presented a paper on social reflections in Kambadasan’s poetry. In the second session that was chaired by Thirumeni Nagarasan, two scholars, Sri Bharathi Vasanthan and Sri Ellai Sivakumar, presented papers on movie lyrics and essays of Kambadasan respectively. In the valedictory session, Prof Uthayasooriyan, who delivered valedictory address, talked about the contribution of Kambadasan to variety of genres including plays and minor literature. Sri Sundara Murugan, Member, Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, talked about the superiority of Kambadasan’s songs and lyrics compared to the present times. The event was well attended by scholars and writers and was covered prominently in local media.

Homage to Su. Krishnamoorthi September 10, 2014, Chennai

ahitya Akademi organized a homage meeting in respect of Sri. Su. Krishnamoorthi, Sahitya Akademi translation prize winner and veteran litterateur. Sri. Maalan, SMember, Tamil Advisory Board chaired the meeting. He mentioned that Krishnamoorthi is an accomplished Tamil translator. But he got the translation prize for his Bengali translation of Kuruthipunal (River of Blood), novel authored by Indira Parthasarathi. He worked in the accounts department but all along fell in love with and and worked for the intercommunication of these two languages. He participated in the literary activities of Bharathi Tamil Sangam in and invited many scholars from to Kolkata every year. He translated the masterpieces of Bengali writers like Mani Magesh and “Sidhaintha Koodu.” Sri. K.R. Sachidanandam, intimate friend of Krishnamoorthi and his brother recounted the course of his life and literary pursuits. Thiruppur Krishnan paid homage to Krishnamoorthi’s love and respect for all languages without narrow mindedness. He gave a detailed talk with relevant examples regarding the literary contribution and the pioneering path undertaken by the translator. Prof Rama Gurunathan mentioned that Krishnamoorthi treated Sahitya Akademi as his second amily and he loved the Akademi sometimes more than the worldly pursuits. Prof Muhilai Rajapandian, Athithan, Pulavar Prabhakaran, Pandiyarajan and Journalist Kumaraguru paid glowing tributes to the veteran translator in the meeting.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 23 chennai

that saw three scholars, Sri Ravi Subramanian, Sri K. Parthiba Symposium Raja and Sri R. Kurunjivendan, presented multi-perspective on Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthi analysis of Ku Sa Krishnamoorthi’s contributions to the September 14, 2014, Pudukkottai field of films and music. Sri Ravi Subramanian referred to “Paruvamazhai” & “Isai Inbam” and said he was a rare genius he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai who composed songs and setting music to them by himself and Theld a daylong symposium at Pudukkottai on September then could sing out also. He mentioned a very popular song 14, 2014 to mark the birth centenary celebrations of noted “Kutram Purindhavan” from the movie Ratha Kanneer as a poet and lyricist Sri Ku Sa Krishnamoorthi. testimony to Ku Sa Krishnamoorthi’s versatility and talent. Sri K. Partiba Raja enumerated the list the plays written and In the inaugural session, Sri A.S. Ilangovan, Officer- staged by Ku Sa Ki and how that helped him in later life in in-Charge, Sahitya Akademi, Chennai, welcomed the his writing movie dialogues and scripts. Sri R Kurunjivendan participants, audience and scholars and spoke briefly about presented and analyzed the overall contribution of Ku Sa Ki the life and legacy the poet Ku Sa Krishnamoorthi. Sri Ki. to the world of movies.Sri Thangam Moorthy chaired the Nachimuthu, Convener, Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya final and poetry reading session in which three promising Akademi, chaired the inaugural session and talked about the poets, Sri Singamuthu, Ms Swathi and Sri Sembai Manavalan contributions of Krishnamoorthi to movies, dramas, poetry, recited their verses.The event was well covered in the print history and criticism in addition to occasional journalistic and electronic media and was well attended by scholars from nearby cities and towns.

Literary Forum September 15, 2014, Erode

he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai, Theld a literary forum on “R. Shanmugasundaram’s Writings” in collaboration with the Dept of Tamil, Chikkaiah Naicker College, Erode on September 15, 2014. Sri A.S. Ilangovan, Officer-in-Charge, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants, students and the faculty of the College and said R. Shanmugasundaram was a very (L-R) Prof K.Nachimuthu (Speaker), Sri Silamboli Sellappan and Sri Sethupathi important literary figure in the 20th century literature and ventures. He said he is proud to be part of this centenary thanked the Dept of Tamil for coming forward to host this celebrations held by Sahitya Akademi and said the Akademi programme.The programme was chaired and moderated will take up the centenary celebrations of al prominent by Prof S. Saravanababu, who spoke briefly about the literary personalities of Tamil Nadu.Silamboli Su Sellappan, life, works and legacy of R. Shanmugasundaram and who delivered key-note address said Krishnamoorthi was then introduced the speakers to the audience. He thanked an all-round personality and it is unfortunate that the poet the Akademi for giving such a wonderful opportunity to could not make a telling and sustained contributions to Tamil participate in a quality literary programme.Gana Kurinchi literature for variety of reasons.Sri C. Sethupathi, Member, spoke about the common and recurrent themes of his Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, proposed a vote of novels and pointed out how pessimism and love-failure thanks. Sri Vijaya Triuvengadam chaired the first session in were the common currents running through his stories. which three scholars, Sri P.Venkataraman, Sri Tamaraikannan He said though Shanmugasundaram was qualitatively and Sri M. Palaniappan presented papers enumerating various different writer than Camus and lived in different cultures, dimensions of the poet. Sri Venkataraman talked about how both can be compared and he gave example of “Azhiyaa brilliant a poet Ku Sa Ki was from childhood and traced the Kolam.”Prof Sooryakanthan talked the translation prowess Krishnamoorthi’s inspirations that eventually turned him of R. Shanmugasundaram and recalled with great pleasure into a great poet. Sri Tamaraikannan referred to the reach his fabulous translations of great works from Bengali and and sweep of Ku Sa Ki’s creative works and pointed out in Hindi such as the works of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhya, addition to his poetry collections and movie lyrics, he has Bankim Chandra and host of other eminent writers from also made a weighty contribution to in the across the border of vindhyas.Prof R. Venugopalswamy form of “Tamil Nataka Varalaaru.” Sri Palaniappan, the last listed out the short-stories and critical essays penned speaker of the session recited the selected verses of Ku Sa by R. Shanmugasundaram and how they reflect the Krishnamoorthi and also made critical observations on the pathetic nature of the oppressed and the equally appalling poems recited.Sri S. Ramanujam chaired the second session apathy of the ruling society. He also said this aspect of

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 24 chennai

R. Shanmugasundaram’s thought brought a sharper edge Hindi translator, chaired the meeting of the staff of to his critical essays. Prof Po Ma Palaniswamy, described Chennai office. He talked at length about the value of how Shangmugasundaram came to be known as father Hindi as a national language linking various cultural and of regional dialect or ‘Vattaara Vazhakkin Thanthai.’ He literary traditions. Various competitions such as reading, dealt at length with Shanmugasundaram’s celebrated transcribing and elocution competition were conducted. Sri novel “Nagammal” and how this work might have helped Sourirajan distributed the prizes to the winning staff. Sri and encouraged the current crop of writers attempting to A.S. Ilangovan, Officer-in-Charge, thanked Sri Sourirajan write in vattaara vazhakku.Prof P. Kamala Kannan, Dept for conducting Hindi week over the years and stressed the of Tamil, proposed a vote of thanks. importance of Hindi language in promoting literature and literary values. Nari Chetna September 22, 2014, Cuddalore Literary Forum he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai October 7, 2014, Torganized a ‘Nari Chetna’ programme with four Tamil women writers on September 22, 2014 at C. Kandasamy he Sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai, Naidu College for Women, Cuddalore. Sri R. Sambath, Tin association with S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Member, General Council, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed organized a literary forum on October 7, 2014 at S.T. Hindu the participants, the faculty, the students and other literary College, Nagercoil on eminent poet Kavimoni’s Writings. connoisseurs who attended the event and outlined the Prof T. Neela Kanda Pillai chaired the literary forum. objective of the platform ‘Nari Chetna’ and enumerated He mentioned that Kavimoni was a poet with Gandhian Akademi’s efforts to encourage and promote aspiring ideals. He wrote on the ideals and ethos of Kannyakumari women writers of all sections of the society. Prof Mallika district which has a blend of Pandiya and Chera literary Chandiran, Principal of the college and also the Guest of elements. P. Arumugam Pillai, Chairman of the College Honour at the event, thanked the Akademi for organizing and Principal Dr. S. Perumal praised the literary acumen such an important literary event in the college and spoke of the poet. Dr. Muhilai Rajapandian spoke on the poems briefly about emancipating the oppressed and suppressed written by the poet for children. A. K. Perumal mentioned women across the globe and the role of literature in such about the poems relating to Mahatma Gandhi and the endeavours. In the academic session that was chaired by freedom struggle. T.H. Issac Samuel Nayagam commented the noted writer Prof Ilamathi Janakiraman of Pondicherry on the spiritual aspects of his poetry. M. Selvam spoke on University, three women Tamil writers, Ms. Soundaravalli, his work “Marumakkal Vazhi Manmiyam” which dealt Ms. Kala Visu and Ms. Rajalakshmi, gave lectures on “The necessity for feminist writers,” “Techniques and with the problems between sons and nephews, daughters Crafts of feminist novels, short stories and poetry” and and nieces for owning the ancestral property. Athithan “Feminist Literature in Tamil Nadu” respectively. All the analyzed the poetic beauty, prosody, style and poetic papers focused on the contemporary feminist issues and devices of Kavimani. T.V. Jagadeesan proposed vote of trends in Tamil literature. Summing up the papers and thanks. positions, Prof Ilamathi Janakiraman spoke at length about improving the standard of the feminist literary productions Symposium and felt such efforts should start from the school level.To on Multiple Perspectives commemorate the event, students of the Tamil department of Tamil Poetry at the College had organized an exhibition comprising October 11, 2014, Viluppuram feminist books, paintings and photographs. Prof Sundara Murugan, Member, Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai, Akademi proposed a vote of thanks. Tin association with Deivanai Ammal College, Viluppuram, organized a day long symposium on ‘Multiple Perspectives of Tamil Poetry’ on October 11, 2014 at the Hindi Week college auditorium. September 15-22, 2014 In the inaugural session, Sri A.S. Ilangovan, Officer- he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Chennai welcomed the Torganized a Hindi week from September 15 to 22, participants, scholars, faculty and students of the college 2014. On the concluding day, Sri Sourirajan, renowned and spoke briefly about the multiple perspectives available in Tamil milieu itself and also through comparative

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 25 chennai analysis of poetry available in numerous other languages of Honor. Dr Sirpi Balasubramanian, eminent poet, of India. He said that Akademi provides the latter and presented a critical appreciation of Bharatidasan’s poetry urged all to embrace the initiatives of the Akademi. Prof K. and also provided numerous interesting anecdotes from Nachimuthu briefly explained the structure, initiatives and Bharatidasan’s life and his friends. Mannar Mannan, programmes of the Akademi help one and all in gaining son of Bharatidasan and grandsons Bharathi and Selvam multiple perspectives, not only in poetry but also in other were felicitated during the session. Dr Sambath, Member, genres. He informed the audience about numerous schemes General Council, Sahitya Akademi, talked about the literary and programmes of the Akademi. Sri T. Radhakrishnan, milieu in which Bharatidasan flourished while proposing I.P.S., in his address drew parallels from ancient Sangam a vote of thanks. In the first session that was chaired by poetry and compared them with the 20th century Tamil Sri R. Sundaramurugan, Member, Tamil Advisory Board, poetry and also made comparisons to . Sri E. Samikannu, Sri S. Senthil Kumar and Dr Kasthuribhai Sahitya Akademi, three scholars, Dr. R. Kamaraj, Member, Dhanasekaran of the college praised the initiatives of General Council, Sahitya Akademi, Sri Y. Manikandan the Akademi and thanked the Akademi for organizing and Ms. Yazh Chandra presented papers focusing on a symposium in their premises. Dr R. Sambath, while nationalism, humanism, diverse genres and feminism proposing a vote of thanks, talked briefly about various in Bharatidasan’s poetry. In the second session that was perspectives of Tamil poetry.The first session was chaired by chaired by Sri Puviyarasu, noted writer and translator, two Prof Muhilai Rajapandian and three scholars, Dr Porkalai, scholars, Sri Sethupathi and Sri Gowthaman presented Sri K. Ganesan and Smt. Premalatha presented papers papers focusing on Philosophy of Nature and Comparative focusing on feminist perspectives of modern poetry, poetic Analysis of Bharathi and Bharatidasan respectively. Sri traditions of 20th century Tamil poetry and post-modern Erode Tamizhanban chaired the valedictory session and perspectives respectively. The second session was chaired compared Bharatidasan with Shelley and Byron. Dr K. by Sri Pazhamalai and three scholars, Ms. Saroja Babu, Sri Chellappan delivered the valedictory address, Prof Badri Sundara Murugan and Sri Chella Perumal presented papers Narayanan, Principal of the College, delivered felicitations focusing on contemporary social reality, especially that of and Sri P.M. Palanisamy proposed a vote of thanks. Dalit and other oppressed communities’ aspirations.In the valedictory session Prof Rama Gurunathan summed up the perspectives presented in the symposium and offered Literary Forum critical appreciation, while Dr Mangaiarkarasi proposed a October 17, 2014, Trichy vote of thanks. he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi, Chennai Tin association with the Department of Tamil Studies, Symposium Urumu Dhanalakshmi College, Trichy, organized a on Bharatidasan literary forum on ‘Recent Trends in Tamil Short Stories’ on October 17, 2014 at Urumu Dhanalakshmi College, October 16, 2014, Pollachi Trichy.The Literary Forum was presided over by Dr. R. he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi, in Kamarasu, Member, General Council, Sahitya Akademi Tassociation with the Department of Tamil Studies, and Dr Sekar, Principal of the College was the Guest N.G.M. College, Pollachi, organized a daylong seminar of Honor. Dr Kamarasu talked about the realism in the contemporary Tamil short stories and cited the stories on October 16, 2014 at N.G.M. College, Pollachi, to penned by Jayakantan and Samuthiram as examples of commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Bharatidasan. that. Three scholars presented papers. In the inaugural session, Sri A.S. Ilangovan, Officer- Dr. P. Madhivaanan examined the structure, texture and in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Chennai welcomed the the themes of 21st century short stories. Ko. Veeramani participants, scholars, faculty and the students of the commented on the social perspectives, problems and college and talked about the relevance and importance solutions of modern stories. of Bharathi and Bharatidasan. Prof K. Nachimuthu, Convener, Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi,in his Dr. Aranga Malliga presented the problems of women and Presidentail address, briefly narrated various initiatives of Dalit dealt by modern young writers. The meeting was well the Akademi in promoting literature. He also enumerated attended by students of literature, writers and the literary the literary achievements of Bharatidasan. Dr Krishnaraj fraternity of . Vanavarayar, President of the College was the Guest

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 26 chennai

Literary Forum Meenakshisundaram Pillai’s writings to commemorate his October 25, 2014, Chennai 200th birth anniversary to CUTN, Thiruvarur. In the inaugural session, Sri A.S. Ilangovan, Officer- in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Chennai, welcomed the participants, scholars, faculty and the students of the University and briefly talked about the significance of Mahavidwan’s writings. Prof K. Nachimuthu, Convener, Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, explained various initiatives of the Akademi to preserve and promote literature and literary traditions in the country and hoped both the Akademi and CUTN would organize more such seminars and symposia in the future. Dr Sengathir, Vice Chancellor of the University, praised Akademi’s role in promoting literature, especially in translations and he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai children’s literature and offered full support and co- Torganized a literary forum on ‘Tamil Perspectives of operation for all programmes especially any inter-lingual Mahabharatham’ on October 25, 2014 at Bharatiya Vidya meets and seminars. Sathya Gnana Mahadeva Desika Bhavan, Chennai. The programme started with a minute’s silence and homage to Smt. , eminent writer who had passed away recently. Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, paid rich tributes to Smt. Rajam Krishnan. He then welcomed the participants and scholars who had assembled for the forum and talked about various renditions of Mahabharata themselves offering multi perspectives of the Scripture and explained how Sahitya Akademi is striving to preserve and promote various literary and cultural traditions. Sri Maalan, Member, Tamil Advisory Board, chaired the forum and talked at length about Bharathi’s Panchali Sabatham and other translations of Mahabharata and adaptaions in Tamil offering different perspectives of the characters and feministic element inherent in the Scripture. Four noted Paramacharya Adigalar, Pontiff, Velakkurichi Adheenam, scholars Sri Sachidanandam, Smt. Rogini Jagannathan, Thirupukalur delivered an erudite speech on the role of Smt. Rajeswari and Sri Thuriyanandam presented the literature and religion in molding and motivating young versions of , Bharathi, Villiputhurar and Nalla Pillai. minds for a better future. Sri K. Jawahar proposed a The social phenomenon of the widespread worship of vote of thanks. In the first session that was chaired by Draupadi in northern Tamil Nadu from Kancheepuram Dr. Y. Manikandan, three scholars, Dr. R. Sambath, up to the boundaries of Pallava kingdom was examined. Sri Kovai Mani and Sri Kunjithapatham presented The traditional drama forms of the folklore celebrate the papers on Mahavidwan’s art and poetry, Mahavidwan’s success of Pandavas over Kauravas in Mahabharata. Sri contemporaries and minor epics of Mahavidwan A.S. Ilangovan, Officer-in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Chennai, proposed a vote of thanks. respectively. Sri V.R. Madhavan chaired the second session and Sri Solai Sundara Perumal and Sri Sathish presented papers on descriptions from Chola Kingdom Symposium and Seerkazhi Kovai respectively. The valedictory session on Mahavidwan was chaired by Dr. R. Kamaraj, Member, General Council, Meenakshisundaram Pillai Sahitya Akademi andSriP. Velmurugan welcomed the October 29, 2014, Thiruvarur gathering. Sri T.N. Ramachandran, eminent scholar delivered a passionate thoughtful valedictory address. Sri he sub-regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Chennai, V. Rajasekaran delivered felicitation. P. Kumar proposed Tin association with the Central University of Tamil the vote of thanks. Nadu, organized a daylong symposium on Mahavidwan

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 27 kolkata

Literary Forum Seminar on Pranabandhu Kar September 12, 2014, Kolkata September 13, 2014,

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata, Kolkata organized a literary form on Sankari in association with the Department of Odia, Prasad Basu at Sahitya Akademi auditorium, TUtkal University, organized a daylong seminar on T Pranabandhu Kar to commemorate the birth centenary of Kolkata on September 12, 2014. Noted scholars Swami Shastrajnananda, Sri Tarun Goswami and Sri Swapan legendary fiction writer and playwright on September 13, Basu spoke on the occasion. 2014 at Bhubaneswar. Dr Ramkumar Muhopadhyay, Convener, Bengali Advisory In the inaugural session, Dr K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants, dignitaries Board, Sahitya Akademi, introduced the speakers to and scholars, spoke briefly about the activities of the the audience. He briefly talked about the influence of Akademi and also on the impact of Pranabandhu Kar’s Sri Sankari Prasad’s writings on 20th century Bengal. works on other genres. Dr Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, Swami Shastrajnananda talked about Sankari Prasad’s President, Sahitya Akademi talked about the exalted contributions to literature on Swami Vivekananda, Sister place of Pranabandhu Kar in the landscape of Indian Nivedita and Subhas Chandra Bose. Sri Tarun Goswami Literature. Prof Das, Vice Chancellor of talked about Sankari Prasad’s contributions to sports Utakal University and Chief Guest thanked the Akademi literature, especially on Cricket. Sri Swapan Basu talked for choosing the University and talked briefly about at length about diverse literature left behind by Sankari Pranabandhu Kar’s influence in his own life. Noted Prasad and their influence on different genres of Indian critic and playwright Prof Narayan Sahu, in his keynote literature. address, talked about how the blending of Marxism and Existentialism served as a significant tool at the hands of Pranabandhu Kar in portraying social reality. Sri Gourhari Kavisandhi Das, Convener, Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, September 12, 2014, Bhubaneswar talked about the influence of Pranabandhu Kar on the subsequent generation of Odia fiction writer. Sri Goutam he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata Paul, Officer-in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, organized a Kavisandhi with eminent Odia poet proposed a vote of thanks. Pranabandhu Kar’s unpublished Debdas Chhotray on September 12, 2014 at one act play “Chihna Mati Achihna Akasha” was released T in the inaugural session. Bhubaneswar. Sri Goutam Paul, Officer-in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, welcomed the poet and the audience In the first session devoted to Pranabandhu Kar’s fiction and explained briefly about the objectives of Kavisandhi and chaired by Prof Baishnab Charan Samal, five scholars, and various other initiatives of the Akademi. Dr Gourahari Dr Khirod Behera, Dr Prakash Parida, Dr Santosh Ku Das, Convener, Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, Tripathy, Prof Udayanath Sahu and Prof Sanghamitra delivered the introductory address and introduced the poet Mishra presented their papers focusing on inclusive to the audience. Accepting the felictiations, Sri Chhotray portrayal of social reality in Pranabandhu Kar’s short thanked the Akademi for the opportunity and spoke briefly stories. In the second session devoted to Pranabandhu about his life, works and influences on his writings. He Kar’s plays and chaired by Prof Hemant Kuman Dasand, four scholars, Smt. Bishnupriya Ota, Sri Narayan Sethi, recited some of his poems and participated in the lively Smt. Rajalaxmi Jena and Sri Samar Mudali presented interactive session that followed. Sri Banoj Tripathy, their papers focusing on the art and style of play writing Member, Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, of Pranabandhu Kar. proposed a vote of thanks. The valedictory session was chaired by Prof Niladri Bhusan Harichandan. Doyen of Odia theatre, Sri Ananta Mahapatra was the Chief Guest and shared interesting anecdotes from Kar’s life. Sri Srimoy Kar, Pranabandhu Kar’s son was the Guest of Honor. Sri Banoj Tripathy, Member, Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi proposed a vote of thanks.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 28 kolkata

the advantages of translating literature, especially Seminar children’s literature, into English as that will enable on Sraddhakar Supakar children of other languages can also read, enjoy and September 14, 2014, Sambalpur benefit from the stories of the original language. He also explained the difficulties involved therein and he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata how Bal Sahitya Puraskar is helping this cause. Sri Torganized a birth centenary seminar on eminent Odia Samik Bandyopadhyay, eminent theatre personality writer Sraddhakar Supakar on September 14, 2014 at talked about the problems of languages, culture Sambalpur. and childhood in different times as major obstacles In the inaugural session, Sri Goutam Paul, Officer-in-charge, in translating children’s literature. He also said Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, welcomed the participated and despite all this, one cannot shy from the fact that the audience while briefly explaining various initiatives of the range of translation from Bengali to English remain Akademi. Sri Hara Prasad Das, eminent writer and poet, poor. Prof K. Satchidanandan, eminent writer and inaugurated the seminar and in his inaugural speech talked former Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, talked about at length about the life and works of Sraddhakar Suparkar, translation in general without going into specific substance and style of his writings and the reflection of his genre, explained in detail the process of translation personality on his writings as well perceivable influences on his writings. Prof Gopal Krushna Ratha, Member, in different areas and cited various examples from Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, presided over the different languages to drive home the points made. inaugural session and highlited the passion and personality He also said the Akademi should be congratulated of Sraddhakar. Smt. Smita Devi, Principal of the College for organizing important seminars of this type. Sri and Dr Shyam Sundar Dhar, noted scholar and critic paid Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay, eminent Bengali writer, glowing tributes to Sraddhakar Suparkar. Sri Naku Hansda said that though it is true that vast material remains proposed a vote of thanks. untranslated, he had his own problems and doubt In the first session chaired by Prof Krushna Chandra about translating all kinds of children’s literature into Pradhan, Member, Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, English including his own, for he writes for children four scholars, Dr Gouridas Pradhan, Sri Laxminarayan from rural background. Smt. Bharati Ray proposed a Panigrahi, Sri Shyama Bhoi and Sri Ganeshram Nahak vote of thanks. presented papers focusing on autobiography of Sraddhakar, poetry of Sraddhakar, Travel Writing of Sraddhakar and Dr Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay chaired the first leadership of Sraddhakar respectively. In the second session. Sri Partha Ghosh, Prof Sukanta Chaudhuri session that was chaired by Prof Kumuda Ranjan and Sri Sukhendu Ray presented papers. Sri Partha Panigrahi, three scholars, Sri Bhagawat Prasad Nanda, Dr Ghosh talked about translating scientific essay in Dwarikanath Nayak and Dr Pradip Kumar Panda read out children’s literature. Prof Sukanta Chaudhuri talked papers focusing on Sraddhakar Suparkar’s plays, fiction about problems of languages in translating children’s and political activism. Sri Aurobinda Mahapatra chaired the valedictory session in which Sri Karunakar Suparkar literature. Sri Sukhendu Ray gave example of his presented valedictory address and Sri Goutam Paul own troubles in translating children’s literature proposed a vote of thanks. and observed that translating rhythm is the most difficult in children’s literature. In the second session that was chaired by Prof K. Satchidanandan, three Symposium scholars, Prof Ipsita Chanda, Smt. Shoma Chatterji on “Translation of Children’s Literature: and Prof. Anasuya Guha presented papers focusing From Bengali into English” on untranslatable elements in children’s literature, September 20, 2014, Kolkata translating magical realism in children’s literature and adaptations of foreign writings in children’s literature he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata respectively. Torganized a symposium on “Translation of Children’s Literature: From Bengali into English” Smt. Sujata Sen who delivered the valedictory on September 20, 2014, at the Sahitya Akademi address talked about market of translations from a auditorium, Kolkata. publishers’ perspective and analyzed the demands In the inaugural session, Dr K. Sreenivasarao, of intended readership. Sri Goutam Paul, Officer in Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the charge, Sahitya Akademi Eastern Region, proposed participants and scholars and spoke at length about the vote of thanks.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 29 kolkata

Seminar on Ayekpam Shyamsunder September 21, 2014, Imphal

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi, Kokata, in collaboration with Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti, organized a Tseminar to commemorate the birth centenary of Ayekpam Shyamsunder on September 21, at Dave Literature Centre, Imphal. In the inaugural session, Sri A.C. Netrajit, Member, Manipuri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the participants and audience and thanked the Akademi for organizing important seminars like this at Imphal. Prof H. Behari Singh, Convener, Manipuri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, talked briefly about the importance and relevance of seminars of this type and about the life and works of Ayekpam Shyamsunder. Sri Laishram Birendrakumar Singh, in his keynote address, talked about various dimensions of Ayekpam Shyamsunder’s writings. Prof Polem Nabachandra Singh, in his Presidential address talked about the works of Ayekpam Shyamsunder and urged the youngsters to take up research on old classics. Maniprui translation of Chemmeen by Laimayum Birendrakumar Sharma was released during the session. Dr Binodkumar Sharma, General Secretary, Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti, proposed a vote of thanks. In the first session that was chaired by Sri Laimayum Birendrakumar Sharma, three scholars, Dr Athokpam Kholchandra, Dr Gurumayum Bijoykumar Sharma and Dr Lamabam Gojendra presented papers ‘Life and Works of Ayekpam Shyamsunder,’ ‘Ayekpam Shyamsunder as a Creative Writer’ and ‘Ayekpam Shyamsunder as an actor and director’ respectively. In the second session that was chaired by Sri B. Jantakumar Sharma, three scholars, Dr Rajen Toijamba, Smt. R.K. Musuksana and Dr Chirom Rajketan Singh presented papers focusing on Ayekpam Shyamsunder as a dramatist and on translations. Sri Goutam Paul, Officer-in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, spoke briefly about the works of Ayekpam Shyamsunder during the session.

Literary forum In the inaugural session, Sri Goutam Paul, Officer-in- Scharge, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, welcomed the partici- September 22,2014, Kolkata pants and audience and spoke briefly about the life and works of Rajkumar Shitaljit, especially his contributions he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata towards cultural and literary ties between Bengal and Ma- Torganized a literary forum on the Life and Works of nipur. Dr Kh. Sarojini Devi, who presided over the ses- noted Bengali writer Nabarun Bhattacharya on September sion, gave interesting anecdotes from the life of the emi- 22, 2014 at Sahitya Akademi auditorium, Kolkata. Sri nent writer and talked about how he inspired generations Nabarun Bhattacharya had passed away on July 31, of writers. Dr S. Shantibala Devi, who delivered keynote 2014. The forum was chaired by Prof Manabendra address described Shitaljit as a father of modern Manipuri Bandyopadhyay and three noted scholars, Dr Ramkumar short stories and one of the founding fathers of modern Mukhopadhyay, Sri Rajib Choudhuri and Sri Goutam Manipuri literature. Dr Shantibala also talked about di- Sengupta presented papers focussing ‘Nabarun, the story verse expressions of Shitaljit. Prof H. Behari Singh, who teller,’ ‘Archaic language in Nabarun’s writings’ and was the Chief Guest, described Shitaljit as a writer who ‘Writing style of Nabarun’ respectively. While summing up, was instrumental and Manipuri literature and society in Prof Manabendra Bandyopadhyay informed that Nabarun the national map. Dr Maya Neprom proposed the vote of Bhattacharya also published Bengali translations of stories thanks. and poems from other Indian languages in Bhashabandhan In the first session that was chaired by Prof A.K. Sharma, magazine. Dr Mihir Kumar Sahoo, Programme Officer, three scholars, Sri Soram Kesho Singh, Sri Kakchingta- Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, proposed a vote of thanks. bam Brajamani Sharma and Dr Arambam Ongbi Mem- choubi presented papers focusing on life of Shitaljit, on the impact of Vaishnavism in his writings and Shitaljit as Seminar on Rajkumar Shitaljit a poet respectively. In the second session that was chaired September 22,2014, Imphal by Prof. Ph. Iboyaima Sharma, three scholars, Dr Heigru- jam Sumbatibala Devi, Dr Heman Shilla Devi and Dr he regional office of Sahitya Akademi, in collabora- Khundongbam Gokulchandra Singh presented papers fo- Ttion with Leimakol Khorjeikol (LEIKOL), organized cusing on novels of Shitaljit, shot stories of Shitaljit and a seminar on September 22, 2014 to commemorate birth Shitaljit’s contribution to the emergence of modern Ma- centenary of eminent writer Sri Rajkumar Shitaljit at Dave nipuri literature. A short interactive session followed the Literature Centre, Imphal. paper presentation.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 30 kolkata

Literary forum Thoubal, Manipur. Sri Goutam the paper reading session that September 23, 2014, Imphal Paul, Officer-in-charge, Sahitya followed and was chaired by Prof Akademi, Kolkata, welcomed Jodha Chandra Sanasam, two he regional office of Sahitya the participants and the audience. scholars, Sri Langol Iboyaima TAkademi at Kolkata, in Prof H. Behari Singh, Convener, and Sri O. Kunjo Singh, presented collaboration with Nongchup ManipuriAdvisory Board, presided papers on the life and works of Haram Khorjei Lup (NOHAKHOL), over the forum. Sri Moirangthem Irawat. Sri Salam Tomba, in his organized a literary forum on ‘Critical Rajendra Singh, in his keynote presidential address, focused on Assessment of Khamba Thoibi Seireng address, talked about the various the greatness of Jana Neta Irawat as an Epic’ on September 23, 2014 aspects of Manipuri literature. Dr and his distinguished activities. at Public Theatre, Phoijing, Nambol. Th. Khomdon Singh, President, The forum ended with singing of Sri Goutam Paul, Officer-in-charge, songs by Irawat. Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, welcomed Manipur Sahitya Samiti, Thoubal the participants and audience. Prof chaired the session. Dr Ak. Bojen Behari Singh, Convener, Manipuri Meitei proposed a vote of thanks. Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, In a brief paper reading session People and Books in his Presidential address said that chaired by Prof Ch. Yashwanta September 25, 2014, Guwahati Khamba Thoibi Seireng is indeed Singh, four scholars, Dr Longjam an Epic, the only Epic of the North Anand Singh, Sri Angom Surjit he regional office of Sahitya East and the shining star of North Meitei, Sri L. Bimal Singh and TAkademi at Kolkata, in East literature. Dr L. Shashikumar Dr T. Kunjeshor Singh, presented collaboration with the Department talked about the life and nature as of Bodo, , papers focusing on different found in the Khamba Thoibi Seireng. organized a ‘People and Books’ aspects of Manipuri literature. Sri Gouro Thongamcha, President, programme with the eminent Bodo NOHAKHOL, thanked the Akademi scholar Dr. Phanindranarayan for organizing a literary forum on Literary forum Narzary on September 25, 2014 at the Epic and urged youngsters to September 25, 2014, Imphal the Department of Bodo, Gauhati take up the Epic for serious research University, Guwahati. Dr. Narzary from modern perspectives. Sri T. he regional office of Sahitya spoke briefly about his life, his Shamungou, General Secretary, Akademi, Kolkata, in NOHAKHOL proposed the vote of T childhood, his interest in books collaboration with Progressive and writing and the influences thanks. In the paper reading session Writers’ Association, Manipur, that followed and was chaired by Prof on his writing. Dr. Narzary then organized a literary forum on L. Shadananda, three scholars, Smt. highlighted and focused on the Y. Bhanu, Sri Ibopishak Nongthomba ‘The life and works of Jana Neta relationship between human and Dr Ng. Akasini Devi, presented Irawat’ on September 25, 2014 at beings and the books. He talked papers focusing on various aspects of Manipur Press Club, Imphal. Sri at length about the influence that the Epic. Goutam Paul, Officer-in-charge, books can have on civilization and Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, cited several examples to drive Literary forum welcomed the participants and home his point. He talked about talked briefly about briefly about his book on Jajnos, performance of September 23, 2014, Thoubal the literary works of Jana Neta rituals and his effort and struggle Irawat. Sri Salam Tomba and Sri he regional office of Sahitya while compsing a dictionary Ibosana Khuman, Progressive , ‘Quadruple Vocabulary’, his TAkademi at Kolkata, in Writers’ Association, and Prof collaboration with Manipur collection of Bodo folk tales with Behari Singh, Convener, Manipuri the assistance of Madaram Brahma Sahitya Samiti, organized a Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, and many more of his literary literary forum on ‘Present talked about the relevance of endeavours. A brief interactive Scenario of Manipuri Language Irawat’s works to contemporary session followed the lecture. Dr and Literature’ on September Manipuri society and his influence Swarna Prabha Chainary proposed 23, 2014 at Kshetri Sanglem, on generation of writers. In a vote of thanks.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 31 kolkata

Seminar by Sri Nabin Malla Boro, two scholars, Dr Chinan Narzary and Dr Phaguna Barmahelia presented papers focusing on on “Little Magazines in Bodo the publication of little magaizines from 2003 till present. and Its Impact on Society” In the valedictory session, Prof Baneswar Talukdar said September 26, 2014, Sonitpur impact of little magazines should not be overlooked. Sri Kamala Kt. Mushahary of Bodo Sahtiya Sabha thanked he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata, in the Akademi for organizing a seminar on important topic Tcollaboration with Bodo Sahitya Sabha, organized a and its efforts to promote Bodo literature. Sri Dipak Kr. seminar on ‘Little magazines in Bodo and their impact Basumatary, in his valedictory address urged enhanced on society’ on September 26, 2014 at Rangapara College, participation for the success of little magazines and called Sonitpur, . for a healthy literary atmosphere.

Seminar on Maheswar Neog September 26, 2014, Guwahati

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration Twith the Department of Assamese, Gauhati University, organized a seminar on September 26, 2014 to commemorate birth centenary of eminent Assamese (L-R) Bisweswar Basumatary, Premananda Machahary, Kameswar Brahma scholar Maheswar Neog at Phanidhar Dutta Auditorium, and Baneswar Talukdar Gauhati University. In the inaugural session, Dr Premananda Machahary In the inaugural session, Sri Goutam Paul, Officer- welcomed the participants and scholars and talked about in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata welcomed the Bodo language, literature and the opportunities available participants and scholars and spoke briefly about the life to the young and aspiring. He thanked the Akademi for and works of Maheswar Neog. Dr Mridul Hazarika, Vice organizing such an important seminar. In his inaugural Chancellor, Gauhati University, thanked the Akademi for address, Dr Kameswar Brahma, President, Bodo Sahitya choosing Gauhati University as a venue for the seminar Sabha, talked about the importance of the seminars of and expressed his gratitude to the participants for their this kind lies in their ability to mold social integrity and enthusiastic participation. Prof. Karabi Deka Hazarika, enhancing awareness about other cultures and traditions. In Convener, Assamese Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, his introductory address, Prof Prasanta Boro, enumerated released a book on Maheswar Neog, Prachyatatwavid Dr the current situation prevalent in several sections of the Maheswar Neog: Kriti aru Krititwa, during the session society and how little magazines impact them. Dr Anil and spoke about the polymathic dimensions of Maheswar Kr. Boro, in his inaugural speech traced the origin of little Neog’s understanding and knowledge. Prof Dipti Phukan magazines of North East, especially Bodo and hoped that Patgiri, in her inaugural address spoke about genres people would take advantage of opportunities like this covered by Mahewar Neog. Prof Kamaluddin Ahmed and seminar in a fruitful way. Sri Bisweswar Basumatary, Prof who delivered keynote address talked in his keynote address, addressed the problems of little about versatility of Maheswar Neog’s writings. magazines and unless there is an overall participation their role in society will diminish. Sri Prasanta Boro, Secretary, In the first session that was chaired by Dr Malinee Bodo Sahtiya Sabha, proposed a vote of thanks. Goswami, three scholars Dr Pradipjyoti Mohanty, Dr Pona Mahanta and Dr Anjali Sharma presented papers ‘The In the first session that was chaired by Sri Gopinath study of Assam theory of Maheswar Neog,’ ‘The prose Brahma, two scholars, Sri Promod Ch. Brahma and Dr style of Maheswar Neog’ and ‘Biographical Writings of Tulan Mochahary, presented papers ‘Little Magazines Maheswar Neog’ respectively. In the second session that published from 1952 to 1972 and their impact’ and ‘Little was chaired by Dr Prabin Chandra Das, five scholars, Dr Magazines published from 1974 to 2002’ respectively. Tarani Deka, Dr Prafulla Kumar Nath, Prof Kamaluddin Dr Anil Boro commented that some of the magazines Ahmed, Prof Bimal Majumdar and Dr Pranjal Sharma mentioned in the first paper do not come under the category Bashishtha, presented papers ‘The role of Maheswar Neog of little magazine. In the second session that was chaired

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 32 kolkata in the Nationalistic movement of Assam,’ ‘The study of topic of the symposium and remarked that symposiums Vaishnab literature by Maheswar Neog,’ ‘The Maheswar of this type are the need of the hour. Dr Premananda Neog under one sky,’ ‘Mahewar Neog’s contribution Machahary, Convener, Bodo Advisory Board, Sahitya towards the study of Sankaradeva’ and ‘Maheswar Neog Akademi, briefly talked about the role and contributions as a Historiographer of Religion’ respectively. In the third of women writers in enriching Bodo literature. Dr Swarna session that was chaired by Dr Golokeswar Goswami, Prabha Chainary proposed a vote of thanks. six scholars, Dr Pranita Devi, Dr Rekharani Devi, Dr Kalpana Sharma Kalita, Dr Prasana Kumar Nath, Dr Arup In the first academic session that was chaired by Dr Kumar Nath and Dr Lakshmi Hazarika, presented papers Premananda Machahary, four scholars, Smt. Maikan ‘The language of Assamese poems by Maheswar Neog,’ Basumatary, Smt. Dipali Kherkhatary, Smt. Rupali ‘History of by Maheswar Neog,’ Swargiary and Smt Mallika Basumatary presented papers, ‘The editing of ancient manuscripts and Dr Maheswar ‘Reflection of Women in Old and Modern Literature,’ Neog,’ ‘The Assamese poems of Maheswar Neog: A ‘Uneducated and Educated Women Reflected in the Five discussion,’ ‘The study of by Short Story Books of Nilkamal Brahma,’ ‘Signifying Self Maheswar Neog’ and “Dr Maheswar Neog: Playwright by Women Poets’ and ‘Women Character as Reflected and Fictionist” respectively. Prof Upen Rabha Hakacham in the Novels of Chittra Ja Muchahary’ respectively. delivered valedictory address and Prof Kanak Chandra In the second academic session that was chaired by Sri Saharia proposed a vote of thanks. Birupaksha Giri Basumatary, four scholars, Smt. Champa Khakhalary, Dr Pratima Brahma, Smt. Bhairabi Boro and Smt Rahel Mochari presented papers, ‘Women character Symposium on “Signifying in the Ovel Gwrbwni Radal,’ ‘Female Character through Women in Bodo Literature” the Lens of Female Short Story Writers,’ ‘Boro Women September 27, 2014, Guwahati in the View of Boro Male Writers’ and ‘Female Character in Ma Ora Jan Lahary’s Novels’ respectively. Dr Swarna he regional office of Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, in Prabha Chainary proposed a vote of thanks. Tcollaboration with the Department of Bodo, Gauhati University, organized a symposium on ‘Signifying Women in Bodo Literature’ on September 27, 2014 at the Hindi to Bodo Department of Bodo, Gauhati University, Guwahati. Translation Workshop September 27-28, 2014, Guwahati

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata Torganized a Hindi to Bodo translation workshop on September 27-28, 2014 at Guwhati. Eminent Hindi poet Sri Kedarnath Singh’s Akademi award winning book of poems Akaal Mein Saras (Cranes in Drought) was chosen for the workshop. Seven translators, Dr Swarna Prabha Chainary, Sri Srikanta Basumatary, Sri Binon Chandra Boro, Sri Hemanta Swargiary, Sri Hari Narayan Khakhlary, Sri Mithun Ramchiary and Sri Prafulla Swargiary participated in the workshop with Dr Premananda

(L-R) Goutam Paul, Premananda Machahary, Phanindranath Narzary Machahary, Convener, Bodo Advisory Board, Sahitya and Dipti Phukan Patgiri Akademi as a Director of the workshop and Sri Phukan In the inaugural session, Sri Goutam Paul, Officer-in- Chandra Basumatary as a resource person. charge, welcomed the participants and the audience. In the inaugural address, Dr Dipti Phukan Patgiri, appreciated the theme and concept of the seminar. Prof Swarna Prabha Chainary, in her introductory address briefly dwelt on the

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 33 kolkata

Symposium on “Humanism: An Enquiry” October 27, 2014, Nagaon

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata, in collaboration with Prof Nagen Saikia Saraswat TTrust Board and Mahapurush Srimanta Sankara- deva Viswavidyalaya, organized a symposium on ‘Hu- manism: An Enquiry’ on October 27, 2014 at Nagaon, Assam. In the inaugural session, Dr Satyakam Barthakur delivered a welcome address and spoke briefly about the objective of the symposium and thanked the Akademi for organizing it. Prof K.K. Deka, Vice Chancellor, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya, thanked the Akademi for organizing the symposium and said that ‘humanism is relevant in all theories and subjects. Sankaradeva was also a great humanist. Though ‘humanism’ is a modern Dr Satyakam Barthakur speaking in the inaugural session idea, Sankaradeva, Chandidas and later on the Romantic poets also wrote poetry about humanism.’ Prof Madan Sarma, in his keynote address, talked about various issues pertaining to humanism and the humanistic tradition and talks about the recent developments such as a ‘post-humanism’ and ‘trans-humanism.’ Chair of the session, Prof Karabi Deka Hazarika talked about how common people became the subject on literature during the Romanitc period and gave examples of humanistic writings of Sankaradeva and Lakshminath Bezbaroa. In the first session that was chaired by Prof Pradip Saikia, two scholars, Prof Girish Barua, Prof Arindam Barkataky and Prof Pradip Saikia, spoke about ‘Idealism and Humanism’ and ‘Literature and Humanism’ respectively. In the second session that was chaired by Prof Dayananda Pathak, three scholars, Prof Dinesh Ch. Goswami, Sri Prabhat Bora and Sri Ratul Ch. Bora, presented papers ‘Science, Technology and Humanism,’ ‘Liberal Humanism’ and ‘Sankaradeva and Humanism’ respectively. In the valedictory session Prof Mahendra Ahom and Prof Nagen Saikia talked about history and various aspects of humanism. Prof Bhaskarjyoti Sarma proposed a vote of thanks.

Symposium on “Life and Works of Dr Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya” October 28, 2014, Guwahati

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Kolkata organized a symposium on ‘Life and Works of Dr TBirendra Kumar Bhattacharyya’ on October 28, 2014 at Vivekananda Kendra, Guwahati, Assam. Prof Karabi Deka Hazarika, Convener, Assamese Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, presided over the session. The inaugural address was delivered by Dr Lakshminandan Bora and the keynote address by Prof Nagen Saikia. The Guests of Honor during the session were Sri Sailen Bharali and Smt. Binita Bhattacharyya. In the first session that was chaired by Prof Govinda Prasad Sarma, three scholars, Sri Bimal Mazumdar, Sri Deepali Bhattacharyya Baruah and Sri Jayanta Kumar Borah, presented papers ‘Novels of Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya,’‘Humanism in the Writings of Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya’ and ‘Short Stories of Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya’ respectively. In the second session that was chaired by Prof Dipti Phukan Patgiri, three scholars, Smt. Lutfa Hanum Salima Begum, Smt Namita Deka and Sri Satyakam Barthakur presented papers, ‘Poems of Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya,’‘Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya as an Editor’ and ‘Songs of Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya’ respectively. The valedictory address was delivered by Sri Malaya Khound with Sri Nabin Barua in the chair.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 34

Kathasandhi Symposium September 7, 2014, on Post-independence Marthi Criticism September 9, 2014, Nanded he regional office of Sahitya TAkademi at Mumbai, in he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Mumbai, in collaboration collaboration with Institute with Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University organized a Menezes Braganza, organized a Tsymposium Post Independence Marathi Criticism on September 9, 2014 Kathasandhi programme with Sri at the University in Nanded. Sri Gangadhar Pantavne, eminent writer and critic, Gajanan Jog, eminent Konkani inaugurated the symposium. fiction writer, on September 7, 2014 In the inaugural session, Sri Krishna Kimbahune, Regional Secretary, Sahitya at the Institute in Panaji, Goa. Akademi, observed in his welcome note that considering the year of our Dr Tanaji Halarnakar, Convener, independence and the major shift of literary trends that took place around Konkani Advisory Board, Sahitya 1960s, the symposium was divided into two sessions viz., Post Independence Akademi, welcomed the audience Marathi Criticism – 1947-1960 and Post Independence Marathi Criticism – and introduced the guest-writer 1960-until the date, and that in the period between 1947 and 2014 we certainly to them. Sri Gajanan Jog read had a picture of that was created by our criticism, and the out his short story – “Morpakha” symposium had objective to evaluate this picture, to evaluate literary canons in Konkani. His story dealt with that were developed by our criticism. Sri Gangadhar Pantavne, in the inaugural rural life. Getting to know that address, stated that our criticism was equipped with several values, and was peacocks destroy the grain in a dominant during 1950s. D.K. Bedekar, S.K. Kshirsagar, D.B. Kulkarni were village, he decided to write a significant critics during this period, he observed. He said that the nature of short story on this subject, and Marathi criticism had gradually been changed, and criticism failed to withstand “Morpakha” was its outcome, our literature after 1960 which we considered today was entirely of reformation. he said. Sri Jog answered the Further he observed that our criticism still was dependent on western canons. questions posed by the audience Sri Digambar Padhye, eminent Marathi critic, delivered keynote address. He after his talk. said that the span of criticism begins at book reviews and reaches critical theory, and criticism was of two types basically, viz., applied and theoretical. He observed that it was possible earlier to categorize our criticism but it Kavisandhi was not possible now, for criticism today was not oriented to look at literary September 7, 2014, Goa work of art from merely a single point of view. Sri Pandit Vidyasagar, Vice- Chancellor of the University and Chief Guest at the event, heartily thanked he regional office of Sahitya Sahitya Akademi for offering opportunity to the University to collaborate in TAkademi at Mumbai, in organizing such an event. Sri Ramesh Dhage, Director, School of Languages collaboration with Institute and Literature, SRTM University proposed a vote of thanks.The first session Menezes Braganza, organized was chaired by Sri L.S. Deshpande, and Sri Ashutosh Patil, Sri Avinash Sapre a Kavisandhi programme with and Ms. Aruna Dubhashi presented their papers. Sri Patil said that between Ms. Nayana Adarkar, eminent 1947 and 1960 criticism of Marathi poetry was oscillated between artistic and Konkani poet, on September 7, realistic and there was no theoretical criticism. Amongst the significant critics 2014 at the Institute in Panaji, during this period were Mardhekar, Karandikar, W.L. Kulkarni, Goa.Ms. Nayana Adarkar recited and Kusamawati Deshpande. Ms. Aruna Dubhashi’s paper discussed criticism her poems – Shala Ashi Asata of novels in Marathi from 1947 to 1960. She observed that this period was Kaay?, Ye Re Pausa, Sagale Aata known for the impact of short stories and for the novel to come to the centre Itihasjama, Atak Matak Chawali it took Nemade’s Kosla to come. But still S.V. Ketkar and Vaman Malar Joshi Chatak, Yev Re Puta, Yev. All her contributed to a great extent to criticism of novel. Sri T.S. Kulkarni chaired the poems attacked social customs second session, Sri Neelakantha Kadam, Sri Satish Badve and Sri Ramchandra that restrict creative freedom of an Kalunkhe presented their papers. All the three papers established that Sudhir individual.After poetry recitation, Rasal, , Dilip Chitre, Vilas Sarang, Sudha Joshi and M.D. Ms. Adarkar interacted with the Hatkanangalekar were the major critics in the period from 1960 to until the audience. Finally Sri Gorakh date.The last session was meant for a Poets’ Meet. Sri Neelakantha Kadam, Sri Mandrekar, Director, Institute Shridhar Nandedkar, Sri Keshav Deshmukh, Sri P. Vithal and Sri Pritviraj Taur Menezes Braganza, proposed a recited their poems at the meet. Finally, Sri Kautikrao Thale Patil, Member, vote of thanks. Marathi Advisory Board, delivered valedictory address.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 35 Mumbai

People and Books September 12, 2014,

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Mumbai, in collaboration with H.K. Arts College, organized a People and Books programme Twith Sri Bhagyesh Jha, Secretary Ramat-Gamat Yuva and Sanskriti Ministry, State, in Ahmedabad at the Conference Hall of the college on September 12, 2014. Sri Harshadev Madhav, Member, Sanskrit Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed the audience and introduced Sri Jha as a voracious reader, and a highly disciplined secretary of the state. Shri Bhagyesh Jha, talked about his favourite books of Sanskrit, English and Gujarati. Sri Jha concentrated his talk mainly on Meghdoot of Kalidasa. He narrated beauty of the relationship between mankind and nature and spoke of poetic art of metres, figures of speech and sentiments in the epic. Sri Subhash Brahmbhatt, Principal, H.K. Arts College, proposed a vote of thanks.

Hindi Saptah September 15 to 22, 2014, Mumbai

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Mumbai celebrated Hindi Week from 15th to 22nd September 2014. Handwriting, essay writing, and translation competitions were held during the week. Staff members including the Tones working on contractual basis enthusiastically participated in the competitions. Prizes to the winners in the competitions were given away on Friday, 12th September 2014 by Sri Noor Parkar, noted Hindi and Urdu litterateur. Sri Parkar heartily congratulated all the staff members for so sportily participating in the competitions, and also appreciated their attempts. He said that it was very important that one felt to express himself/herself in Hindi. Further he said that we were probably linguistically richest nation and it was our cultural hallmark, but it was Hindi language that bridged the gap between languages and functioned as competent lingua franca. There were ample of dialects in Hindi and we should encourage, accept each of them. Sri Krishna Kimbahune, Regional Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, proposed a vote of thanks.

Meet the Author September 14, 2014, Aurangabad

he regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Mumbai, in collaboration with Marathwada Sahitya Parishad organized a Meet the Authorwith Sri , distinguished Marathi playwright, on September 14, 2014 at Yashwantrao TChavhan Theatre, Aurangabad. Sri KrishnaKimbahune, Regional Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed Sri Alekar and the scholars who had assembled and briefly spoke about the life and works of Sri Satish Alekar. Sri Alekar said that he was equally interested in taking his plays to audiences all over the country and abroad, and it was essential part of his creativity. He learnt a lot while watching his plays or for that matter any play, again and again, from the wings, said he. He said that he belonged more to the tradition of performance than that of literature, and had written plays only to be performed by his group. Sri Satish Alekar talked about various influences on his style and work and remembered fondly his teachers and other doyens of theatre. He talked about his friendship with Sri Jabber Patel that changed courses for him. He said that he was happy that there were number of excellent playwrights in Marathi today but the theatre lacked in organizational support. After his speech, he answered the questions put by the audience.

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 36 Mumbai

Symposium on Social Ambience in Literature September 27, 2014, Mumbai

The regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Mumbai, Mahatma Gandhi, Zaverchand Meghani, Jayanti Dalal, organized a symposium on ‘Social Ambience in and wonderfully Literature’on September 27, 2014 at Sahitya Akademi reflected social ambience. N. Shivdas said that social Auditorium in Mumbai. Sri Krishna Kimbahune, Regional ambience in in Goa also reflected Secretary, welcomed the participants and audience. In order among communities of Goa, i.e., Hindu and Catholic, so to understand the orientation of literature in the four western to some extent as told earlier due to Portuguese influence languages today, one must needs study their traditions and of nearly 450 years, religious writings mainly was done in the literature in as many dimensions as possible, and at this Roman script later on even some fictions too were written symposium one would get to understand social ambience in Roman scripts. Mahendra Bhavare’s paper discussed in literature, he said. The symposium was inaugurated by social ambience in terms of tradition of dalit literature Sri Kirit Doodhat, distinguished Gujarati fiction writer. in Marathi. He said that this literature reflected dark and In the inaugural address Sri Kirit Doodhat elaborated on brutal side of the society and evoked the deep sense of the tradition of Gujarati short stories and said that social the need of liberation and revolt. Sri Jetho Lalwani said ambience reflected in the works of Himanshi Shelat, that contemporary mostly dealt with Bindu Bhatt, Mahendra Parmara, Kanji Patel, Ajit Thakore human life in metropolitan cities hence it represented and Mohan Parmara is noticeable. Sri Tanaji Halarnakar, metropolitan ambience which was too incompetent to be Convener, Konkani Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, termed as social ambience. chaired the inaugural session. He said that social ambience varies from writer to writer even in same language, and as social ambience can influence literature, a literary work of Nari Chetna art also can influence our social ambience. October 4, 2014, Jalna Sri Prem Prakash, Convener, Sindhi Advisory Board, The regional office of Sahitya Akademi at Mumbai, Sahitya Akademi, chaired the first session. The papers in collaboration with Urmi Literary Organization, were presented by Sri Kantibhai Malsattar (Gujarati), organized Nari Chetanaprogramme at Jalna on Sri Edwin JF DSouza (Konkani), Smt. Kamala Goklani October 4, 2014. Sri Krishna Kimbahune, Regional (Sindhi), and Sri Krishna Kimbahune read out Sri Ranadhir Secretary, welcomed the audience and introduced Shinde’s (Marathi) paper. Sri Kantibhai Malsattar said that the participants to them. Ms. Aruna Dhere, Member, social ambience could be studied in a more appropriate Marathi Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, way in Gujarati folk literature than in the main stream chaired the programme. Urmila Pawar, Chhaya Gujarati poetry. Contemporary dalit literature in Gujarati Mahajan, Lalita Gadge and Sanjeevani Tadegaonkar also competently reflected Gujarati social ambience. participated in the programme. The programme Sri Edwin JF DSouza’s paper discussed the issues of was coupled with a two day Books Exhibition, and scripts – Kannada, and Roman – Konkani the exhibition was inaugurated by Urmila Pawar. was written in. This paper also discussed as to how Urmila Pawar read out excerpts from her highly religion intervene literature. Sri Ranadhir Shinde’s paper acclaimed autobiography Aydan. Chhaya Mahajan brought out the fact that the socio-cultural atmosphere read out her short story “Chakravyuv”. Her story was competently dealt with by Marathi fiction writers. dealt with shallow and so called modern living Smt. Kamala Goklani said that the before styles and generation gap. Lalita Gadge recited the 20th century was influenced by Arabic and Persian four poems – “Deep”, “Kahani”, “Majhee Aai” and literature. Social ambience in Sindhi literature could be “Deesha Ujalat Aahet”. Sanjeevani Tadegaonkar felt considerably after 20th century Sindhi literature and recited poems namely “Sagalyanchyach Nashibi today’s literature reflected the issues of globalization and Nasate”, “Daatate Kaa Mani Murhur”, “Dahuktya capitalization.Sri Balchandra Nemade, Convener, Marathi Paanyaaachya”. Speaking from the chair Ms. Aruna Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, chaired the second Dhere appreciated the literature presented by the session. Sri Pravin Pandya (Gujarati), Sri N. Shivdas invitees saying that it was a very significant platform (Konkani), Sri Mahendra Bhavare (Marathi) and Sri that Sahitya Akademi constituted, for it presented Jetho Lalwani (Sindhi) presented their papers. Sri Pravin woman writers of various generations and this Pandya pointed it out that politics, market, entertainment certainly proved that woman writing in Marathi the so called “isms” had been overpowering human mind is very important. Finally Sri Khedekar, and the real social issues got skipped, but still a number of Manager, Urmi, proposed a vote of thanks. Gujarati writers and poets such as Govardhanam Tripathi,

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 37 Mumbai

People and Books Kavisandhi Akademi Auditorium on October October 10, 2014, Mumbai October 11, 2014, Pune 17, 2014. Sri Krishna Kimbahune, Regional Secretary, Sahitya Akademi welcomed the scholars assembled and introduced Sri Vasant Patankar to the audience.Sri Patankar said that he knew Dhasal from 1972-73, they were not close friends though. He studied Dhasal’s poetry as well as his growth as human being and socio political activist. Dhasal wrote prose as well but what he had achieved in Nand Jhaveri reciting his poems poetry was for greater than what he Sri Bheemrao Panchale speaking about his life and books did in prose, he observed. Dhasal he regional office of Sahitya wrote more than 400 poems and Akademi at Mumbai, in he regional office of Sahitya T his creative energy was invariably collaboration with Sindhi Adbi TAkademi at Mumbai, organized received by the readership with a People and Booksprogramme with Sabha, organized a Kavisandhi programme with the noted Sindhi awe, he said. Sri Patankar observed Sri Bheemrao Panchale, celebrated that Dhasal’s poetry in early stage Marathi ghazal singer in Mumbai, poet Sri Nand Jhaveri in Pune on October 11, 2014. Sri Krishna included revolt, in the middle stage at Sahitya Akademi Auditorium sorrow, pain, sympathy, helplessness on October 10, 2014. Welcoming Kimbahune, Regional Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, introduced Sri and angst, and in the last stage it the audience and the guest speaker, encapsulated metaphysics of human Sri Krishna Kimbahune, Regional Jhaveri to the audience. Sri Jhaveri shared his traumatic experiences life, he categorized. Further he said Secretary, introduced the Sri Panchale during the and that Dhasal’s poetry stepped up the to the audience saying that Sri read out his poems – “Sujanam”, tradition of Marathi poetry, and the Panchale had been rendering his art of “Kachhu”, “Paris Mein”, “Jooti”, linguistic affluence of Marathi could singing ghazals for last forty years in “Hik Sadha Ki Sidhbel Khan Vapas”, easily be experienced in his poems. India and abroad. Besides singing, he “Munh Kitne Chayo Hai”, “Aghori Dhasal’s worldview as a poet was was a very well-known social activist Kavita”, “Maan Pal Par Jo Paghi” deeply influenced by the writings and an avid reader of literature.Sri and “Kudrat Jo Kanun”. After poetry of Phuley, Ambedkar and Marx. Sri Panchale talked about the impact of recitation, he answered the questions Krishna Kimbahune proposed a vote books and literature on his life. He posed by the audience. of thanks. said that he was the first in his entire family to take up education and habit of reading and today his personal Through My Window Meet the Author library had around 5000 books. It was October 17, 2014, Mumbai October 17, 2014, Panaji books and his art of singing that earned him lot of close friends and made his entry possible in Marathi intelligentia of the world, he said. He shared that he loved reading Wali Dakhani, Meer Taqui Meer, Mirza , Manto, Qurtul-Ein-Hyder, Franz Kafka, Ebn- e-Insha, Khusro, Charles Chaplin, Renu, Srilal Shukla, P.L. Deshpande, Suresh Bhat, Bhalchandra Nemade Vasant Patankar speaking on the occasion Madhav Borcar and N.D. Manohar et al. He said that he regional office of Sahitya he regional office of Sahitya after reading Suresh Bhat’s Marathi Akademi at Mumbai, in ghazals he probed deeper into the TAkademi at Mumbai, organized T a Through My Windowprogramme collaboration with Kala Academy, genre and that lead to his ghazal Goa organized a Meet the Author singing. After his spontaneous talk with Sri Vasant Patankar, who programme with Sri Madhav Borkar, he enthusiastically interacted with the spoke of the life and works of the Sahitya Akademi award winning audience. late , distinguished Marathi poet, in Mumbai, at Sahitya Konkani poet, on October 17, 2014 in

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 38 Mumbai

Panaji at Kala Academy. Mrs. Hema and his poetry were inseparable. He they ranged from the life in armed Naik, Member, Konkani Advisory reminisced his painfull childhood and forces, forests, pleasing nature at his Board, Sahitya Akademi, welcomed poverty which caused many obstacles native village, and the life in foreign the guest writer and audience, and in his education. While sharing the countries like Egypt and others. Sri invited the writer to deliver the speech. process of writing poetry he said that Sail also said he made a prerequisite Sri Madhav Borkar talked briefly in the gap between the two poems lied for himself that no experience in about his early life and influences on the birth of a new poem. He shared his life be skipped from his creative his writings etc. Then he said not only that the modern man of the day was writing, and that his writing should Marathi and Konkani litterateurs but the major theme of his poetry. After encapsulate each of the social strata. giants like Rabindranath Tagore and his talk he answered the quires put by He shared that a socio historical also influenced his worldview and poetry. He observed the audience. Sri Prakash Parienkar, theme of his latest novel Yug Sanwar that once a poem was written, it hardly Member, Konkani Advisory Board, was very challenging for him, for remained the poet’s property but it Sahitya Akademi, proposed a vote of he attempted to engulf the period of was now the property of its readers. thanks. almost 400 years in the novel. After After his talk he interacted with the his talk he frankly interacted with the audience. Sri Tanaji Halarnakar, Meet the Author audience. The series of programmes Convener, Konkani Advisory Board, was ended with a vote of thanks by October 19, 2014, Panaji Sahitya Akademi, proposed a vote of Sri Krishna Kimbahune, Regional thanks. Secretary, Sahitya Akademi.

Meet the Author October 18, 2014, Panaji

Mahabaleshwar Sail interacting with the participants

he regional office of Sahitya TAkademi at Mumbai, in collaboration with Kala Academy, Goa organized a Meet the Authorprogramme with Sri Prakash Padgaonkar speaking about poetry and his life , Sahitya he regional office of Sahitya Akademi award winning Konkani TAkademi at Mumbai, in fiction writer, on October 19, collaboration with Kala Academy, 2014 in Panaji at Kala Academy. Goa organized a Meet the Father Mouzinho Ataide, Member, Authorprogramme with Sri Prakash Konkani Advisory Board, Sahitya Padgaonkar, Sahitya Akademi award Akademi, welcomed the guest winning Konkani poet, on October writer and audience, and invited 17, 2014 in Panaji at Kala Academy. the writer to deliver the speech. Sri Sri Tanaji Halarnakar, Convener, Mahabaleshwar Sail said that the Konkani Advisory Board, welcomed was his life and the guest writer and audience, and soul, and he found it to be matter of invited the writer to deliver the pride to express himself in Konkani. speech. Sri Prakash Padgaonkar He observed that it was his unusual said that he attempted to search his range of experiences that compelled identity through poetry and that he him to write fiction. His experiences were so unusual and varied that

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 39 new publications

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Assamese PopatonoDesh (Malayalam short stories) Nepali Santanukulanandan (Akademi’s Award winning Novel By Sippy Pallippuram; Tr. Kamal Jasapara Nityanand Timsina (MIL) By Mitradev Sharma in English) By PurobiBormudoi, Tr. AnandaBormudoi Pp.78; Rs.50/-; ISBN: 81-260-0730-3 Pp. 107; Rs. 50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4272-2 Pp. 252; Rs.150/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4664-5 Hindi Adhunik Bharatiya Kavita Sanchayan: Nepali (1950- 2010) (Anthology of Modern in Nepali) Bengali Moti B.A. (MIL) By Ashok Diwedi Pp. 116;Rs. 50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4531-0 Compiled & Edited by Tekdhwaj Zimba ‘Asha’ Aale (Akademi’s Award winning Dogri short story Pp. 240; Rs. 230/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4609-6 collection into Bengali) By VedRahi, Tr. Shyamal Himalaya Men (Akademi’s Award winning Konkani Bhattacharya; Pp. 78; Rs. 70/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4650-0 travelogue) By RavindraKelekar, Tr. Prabha V. Bhat Rajasthani Pp. 84; Rs. 75/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4322-4 TanmoyDhuli (Akademi’s Award winning Odia Poetry KhandiMoortan Bichale (Akademi’s Award winning Urdu Short Stories) By Salam Bin Razzak, Tr. Kumar Ajay collection into Bengali) By PrativaSatpathy, Is Sadi Ki Prem Kahani (Swedish epic Love Story of the Tr. Mridula Mishra & Shipra Roy, Century) By Marta Tikkanen, Tr. Harish Narang Pp. 255; Rs. 220/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4295-1 Pp. VIII+88; Rs. 80/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4659-1 Pp. 140; Rs. 60/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-0523-8 (Reprint) Sanskrit Antigone (Classic Greek play) Rachana Sanchayan (Anthology of Swami Vivekanandah (MIL) By Sophocles, Tr. AlokeranjanDasgupta Writings on Modern Hindi Writer) By NirmaiSadhan Bose, Tr. Sarita Krishna Shashtri Pp. VI+74; Rs. 50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-2516-9 Compiled & Edited by Jyotish Joshi Pp. 123; Rs. 50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4532-7 Pp. 471; Rs. 280/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4535-8 YashpalRachanaSanchayan (Collection of writings Pitamahapautrayoh Laghukatha Sangrahah by into Bengali) By Yashpal; Comp. & Ed. Shantipriya Dwivedi Rachana Sanchayan (Anthology of (Akademi Award Winning Assamese Children Classic) Madhuresh; Tr. Nani Sur Writings) Compiled & Edited by Kamal Kumar by L.N. Bazbaroa; Tr. Nalini Devi Misra Pp. 400; Rs. 250; ISBN: 978-81-260-4715-4 Pp. 640; Rs. 350/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4325-5 Pp. 135; Rs. 125/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4276-0 Candide (Russian classic into Bengali) Beesaveen SadiKa Punjabi Kavya (Anthology of Santali By Voltaire; Tr. ArunMitra Twentieth Century Punjabi Poetry) Pp. 144; Rs.100/-; ISBN : 978-81-260-1114-8 (Reprint) Ed. by Sutinder Singh Noor; Tr. PhoolchandManav and Sendra (Akademi Award Winning Collection of Odia Yogeshwar Kaur Poems) by Phani Mohanty; Tr. DamayantiBeshra SeernaToran (French classic into Bengali) Pp. 736; Rs. 450/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4309-5 Pp. 88; Rs. 110/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4605-8 By Andre Gide; Tr. ChinmoyGuha Pp. 120; Rs. 80/-; ISBN : 978-81-260-3024-8 (Reprint) Kabir (Monograph on Medieval saint writer) Tamil byPrabhakarMachwe Pp. 55; Rs. 50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-2426-1 Dalit Chirukathai Thoguppu (Anthology of Tamil Dalit Bodo Short Stories) Comp. by P. Sivagami Nepali KhonthaiBidang (Anthology of Nepali poetry) Machhuare (Malayalam Novel Chemmeen) Pp.336; Rs.245/-; ISBN: 81-260-4452-8 Comp. & Ed. R. P. Lama; Workshop Editor: Anil Kumar byThakazhiSivasankara Pillai’s; Tr. Bharti Vidyarthi Karchilaigal (A.W. Telugu Short Stories ‘BalividaKantha Boro; Pp. 195; Rs. 200; ISBN : 978-81-260-4714-7 Pp. 167; Rs. 75/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-2609-8 Rao Kathalu) byBalividaKantha Rao, Tr. Rajeswari Kothandam; Pp.480; Rs.240/-; ISBN: 81-260-4456-6 Abwoni Hara (Akademi ward winning Assamese novel Kannada KakadeutarHar into Bodo) By NabakantaBarua; Manjinalli Bhandiyaada Banna Draupadi (A.W. Telugu Novel ‘Draupadi’) Tr. BirupakshagiriBasumatary Award winning Hindi novel by ; byYarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad Tr. Ilambarathy Pp. 96; Rs. 90/-; ISBN : 978-81-260-4716-1 Tr. D.N. Srinath; Pp.224; Rs.115/-; ISBN: 81-260-4490-X (RudhraThulasidas); Pp. 368; Rs.200/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4459-7 Mauritius Hindi Kathaigal English S.V. Parameshwara Bhatta (MIL) K. Krishnamoorthy (MIL) By K.G. Narayana Prasad By R. Lakshminarayana (Anthology of Maritius Ki Hindi Kahaniyan) Pp. 109; Rs. 50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4282-1 Pp.136; Rs.50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4665-1 by Kamal Kishore Goenka Tr. M. Gnanam Pp.576; Rs.330/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4454-2 Colours Caught in Mist (Akademi’s Award winning Ramadhanya Charite Hindi Novel) By Govind Mishra, Tr. Pratik Kanjilal Tr. BhalachandraJayashetty Thathvamasi (A.W. Critical Study in Malayalam: Pp. 205; Rs. 120/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4059-9 Pp.76; Rs.65/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4509-4 Tatvamasi) by Sukumar Azhikode, Tr. Rudra. Thulasidas (Ilambharathi) ; Pp.432; Rs.225/-; ISBN: 81-260-0822-9 (Reprint) Misplaced Objects and Other Poems K.S. Narasimha Swamy (MIL) MalayalaIlakkiya Varalaru (Akademi’s Award winning Malayalam poetry collection) By SumatheendraNadig (History of Malayalam Literature: Malayala Sahitya By K. Satchidanandan, Tr. Author himself; Pp.92; Rs.50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4673-2 Charitram) by P.K. Parameswaran Nair, Tr. Rama. Pp. 224; Rs. 150/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4560-8 Basavappa Sastry (MIL) Gopinathan; Pp.400; Rs.190/-; ISBN: 81-7201-931-9 (Re-print) By Kumarachalya (C.S. Shivakumaraswamy) Carvalho (Kannada Novel) By K.P. PurnachandraTejaswi, Pp. 104; Rs.50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4672-4 Puduvai Sivam (MIL) by Siva Elango Tr. D.A. Shankar; Pp. 98; Rs. 80/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4249-4 Pp.128, Rs.50.00, ISBN: 978-81-260-4457-3 Anabhipsitam (Award winning Sanskrit Short Stories) Give Me The Moon (Akademi’s Award winning Hindi by Prashasya Mishra Sastry; Tr. JanardanaHegde Tharkala India Aangila Kavithaigal Novel) By SurendraVerma, Tr. Pramila Garg Pp. 128; Rs.80/-; ISBN: 81-250-4476-4 Comp. & Edited by K. AyyappaPanikar, Tr. by Rama Pp. 732; Rs. 350/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4136-7 Gurunathan; Pp.160, Rs.100/-, ISBN:978-81-260-4460-3 The Stream Retrospective (A.W. Tamil Novel Konkani ‘ChintaNathi’) by La. Sa. Ramamirtham, Kalmeli Talwar (Award-winning Assamese novel) Puthiya Tamil IlakkiyaVaralaru I – A New Tr. by Pattu M. Bhoopathi; Pp.240, ISBN: 978-81-260-4447-4 By Indira Goswami; Tr. JyotiKunkolienkar Comprehensive History of Tamil , Chief Editors: Sirpi Pp. 216; Rs.120/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4573-0 Balasubramaniam & A Map of Ruins (Collection of Poems in Navodaya Series) Pp. 432; Rs.325/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4360-6. (Paperback) by Nabanita Kanungo; Pp. 70; Rs. 70; ISBN: 978-81-260-4621-8 Maithili Puthiya Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaru II - A New Dharmakirti (Monograph on Sanskrit Writer) Haat - Bazaar (Award winning Bengali Novel) Comprehensive History of Tamil , Chief Editors: Sirpi byRadavallabhTripathi byVanphul; Tr. Bina Thakur Balasubramaniam & Neela Padmanabhan Pp. 118; Rs. 50/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4283-8 Pp. 123; Rs. 125/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4600-3 Pp. 464; Rs. 350/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-4360-6.(Paperback) Puthiya Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaru III - A New Gujarati Marathi Comprehensive History of Tamil Anand Paravar (Selection of Poetry of Makarand Dave) Marathi Ghazal Ardhashatakacha Pravas Chief Editors: & Compiled by NiranjanRajyaguru Edited by Ram Pandit Neela Padmanabhan Pp. 192; Rs.150/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-2970-9 Pp. 240; Rs.175/-;ISBN: 978-81-260-4583-9 Pp. 976; Rs.650/-; ISBN: 978-81-260-3362-0.(Paperback)

Sa h i t y a Ak a d e m i Bi-Mo n t h l y Ne w s l e t t e r 40